Ministers unveil overseas St Patrick's Day plans

Details of the overseas trips of most Government ministers for St Patrick’s Day events were revealed tonight.

A Government spokesman confirmed the carbon footprint caused by thousands of miles of air travel by the Cabinet will be offset to protect the environment.

Tánaiste Brian Cowen will be jetting to Malaysia to represent the country while Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin will be in Italy.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will be travelling to Australia and European Affairs Minister Dick Roche is China-bound.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern will be on a plane to Argentina while Health Minister Mary Harney will be attending events in Prague.

Environment Minister John Gormley will be in London while Education Minister Mary Hanafin is officiating at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York.

The only Cabinet member staying at home will be Defence Minister Willie O’Dea.

The travel plans of the remaining Government members, including the Attorney General, will be announced later this week.

The Taoiseach leaves on Sunday for Washington where he will present the traditional bowl of shamrock to US president George Bush at the White House.

A number of other ministers are also expected to be in US cities.

Mr Ahern will be returning to the US capital on April 30 for his address to the joint Houses of Congress.