Bruton: Ministers 'keeping things tight' for Patrick's Day travel

The Government is defending the decision to increase the number of overseas trips for St Patrick's Day.

The Taoiseach and 19 Ministers and Junior Ministers will take part in events in 21 countries to promote Ireland abroad.

They will attend 150 business events and 30 high-level political meetings during their travels.

It compares to just eight Ministers in 2011 and 16 last year travelling outside of the country.

However, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, said costs will be kept to a minimum.

Mr Bruton said: "We are keeping the size of delegations down to a minimum, we are not flying first-class, or anything like that.

"We are keeping things tight, we are using embassy facilities, maximising the assets we already have, sweating those assets."