Ministers to travel abroad for St Patrick's Day

Government Ministers will go ahead with their trips abroad for the St Patrick’s Day period in an effort to counter the adverse image of Ireland that has been created by the foot and mouth crisis.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who will spend the period in the United States, says that he wants Ministers to make a special effort to promote the quality of Irish food produce.

He also wants to use the opportunity to highlight the strict measures being employed by the Irish Government to prevent the spread of the disease.