Govt confirms details of Paddy’s Day junkets

The Government has confirmed details of this year’s annual St Patrick’s Day junkets.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will travel to Washington to meet US President George W Bush at the White House, while the Tánaiste, Mary Harney, will be in China.

Arts Minister John O’Donoghue, meanwhile, will be in London, Justice Minister Michael McDowell will be in South Africa and Education Minister Noel Dempsey will be in Japan.

A number of junior ministers are also due to travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said the ministers would use the trips to promote Ireland as a business and tourist destination.