Govt’s St. Patrick’s Day travel plans announced
The Taoiseach has announced the Government's overseas travel plans for St. Patrick's Day.
Brian Cowen and nine senior ministers will be flying the flag from America to Australia.
Seven junior ministers are also celebrating that national holiday overseas.
Amid the deepening economic crisis the Government announced that it has dramatically scaled back the annual St. Patrick's Day travel plans and costs will be kept to a minimum.
The Taoiseach will be in New York with Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin before heading to Washington to present the traditional bowl of shamrock to President Barack Obama at the White House.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will be in London, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey goes to Canada, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan hits California and New York, while Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv will hit Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Seven Ministers of State will tour cities in the US, India and Europe while the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Ministers Mary Harney, Willie O'Dea and Batt O'Keeffe are among those staying at home.
The Taoiseach says our future prosperity depends on nurturing our global connections to boost trade and investment at home.
