Gilmore defends St Patrick’s Day trade missions abroad

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has defended costly Government plans to send 19 ministers on St Patrick’s Day trade missions to 21 different countries.

The trade and foreign affairs minister insisted costs would be kept to a minimum as senior TDs jetted off to far-flung countries such as Singapore and New Zealand.

He said the alternative of launching an advertising campaign to promote Ireland worldwide to attract foreign direct investment and tourism would be more expensive.