Number of ministerial Paddy’s Day trips halved

MORE ministers will be staying at home this St Patrick’s Day with the economic difficulties being cited as the primary reason behind a halving in the number of foreign trips.

Despite warnings to keep the cost of the 17 trips to a minimum, ministers will still be entitled to bring their spouses and officials to their far-flung destinations.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen last night defended the cost of the trips which amounted to €523,000 last year.