Revealed: Where Every Government Minister Jets to for St. Patrick’s Day

All Cabinet ministers are jetting abroad this year for what the government is calling its “biggest trade mission ever” for St Patrick’s Day.

Unlike previous years when one or more ministers stayed home for the festive period, this year all senior ministers will be flying to far flung destinations to celebrate Ireland’s national day.

In a statement announcing the annual international jet set, the Government said the St Patrick’s Day program is celebrating “100 years of Ireland in the world”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar travels to Washington DC, while Tánaiste Micheál Martin flies to New York and Boston and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan travels to Singapore and China.

A total of nine ministers – seniors and juniors – will travel to the United States in March to promote Ireland.

These include Treasury Secretary Michael McGrath, Housing Secretary Darragh O’Brien, Arts Secretary Catherine Martin, Education Secretary Norma Foley and Justice Secretary Simon Harris.

“This year’s program will be Ireland’s most comprehensive engagement to date, with ministers reaching out to partner governments and Irish communities on every continent. In all, 36 representatives of the State will take Ireland’s embassy to 74 cities in 44 countries,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“St Patrick’s Day offers an unrivaled opportunity to promote Ireland abroad. It is an important part of the Government’s Global Ireland strategy which aims to promote Ireland as a superb place to live, visit, work, invest, trade and study,” she added.

The ministry said the theme of this year’s trade mission was ‘100 years of Ireland in the world’, marking a ‘century of our country’s engagement as an active member of the international community in promoting democracy, peace and security’. .

“Ministers will recognize a number of important milestones occurring this year: the centenary of Ireland’s accession to the League of Nations, the fiftieth anniversary of our accession to what was then the EEC and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement,” he added

The department said the goals of the international visits are:

• On its 25th anniversary, to reiterate our support for consolidating the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement
• On the 50th anniversary of our joining the European Communities, emphasize the importance and value of our membership of the European Union
• Reaffirm Ireland’s unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine
• Connect with Irish communities abroad and emphasize the importance of our diaspora
• Build more relationships with key political leaders, business leaders, decision makers, opinion leaders and stakeholders around the world
• Celebrate Ireland’s contemporary and traditional arts, culture and heritage;
• Promote Ireland as a great place to live, visit, work, invest, trade and study

Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats, claimed in the Dáil there had been a change in policy as the Attorney General had traveled to Argentina and Chile as a sole dignitary. She suggested that he or she usually accompanied the Taoiseach to Washington DC.

“There seems to be a divergence now, with the AG taking on a more political role as legal advisers to the government,” she said.

However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Tánaiste made the schedule for the St. Patrick’s Day visits. But Ms Murphy’s impression was incorrect, he said.

“In the past, the AG didn’t travel at all, he traveled with the Taoiseach, and he traveled to other places. I think I’m right when I say that. I can only remember one occasion the last time he came to DC,” he said.