Ministers off to France

Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin will today begin a three-day networking visit to France.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and two other ministers are also in the country this weekend to forge political, cultural and trade links.

Enterprise Ireland, which is organising Mr Martin’s trip, is also planning a trade mission to Russia next week.

Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Seamus Brennan will be in Paris tomorrow to meet tourism industry officials while Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent will host a trade reception on behalf of Bord Bia.

The Taoiseach is scheduled to hold talks with new French President Nicolas Sarkozy.