Government ministers are returning to travelling across the globe to represent and promote Ireland on St Patrick’s Day, with 33 ministers to travel abroad to destinations like Colombia.
Due to Covid-19, in-person ministerial-level visits were possible only in a very limited way in 2020 and not at all in 2021.
But this year’s St. Patrick’s Day programme will see a promotional programme of 33 high level visits abroad which will take place in line with local Covid-19 public health guidelines.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to travel to Washington to meet President Joe Biden.
The trips are funded by the taxpayer.
(Image: Julien Behal Photography/PA Wire)
Here is the list of destinations:
Taoiseach Micheal Martin London, UK; Washington D.C, USA
TánaisteLeo Varadkar Colombia; Chile
Minister Eamon Ryan; New York, USA
Minister Paschal Donohoe; The Netherlands; London, UK
Minister Michael McGrath; San Francisco, USA; Vancouver, Canada
Minister Catherine Martin; Argentina
Minister Darragh O’Brien; UAE (Expo)
Minister Simon Coveney – Engagements on island of Ireland
Minister Norma Foley; Boston, USA
Minister Heather Humphreys; – No travel
Minister Roderic O’Gorman New York, USA; Philadelphia, USA
Minister Simon Harris; France
Minister Helen McEntee Savannah, USA
Minister Stephen Donnelly Austin , USA
Minister Charlie McConalogue; Canada
Minister of State Lisa Chambers; L.A., USA
Minister of State Pippa Hackett; Greece
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton; Australia; New Zealand
Minister of State Thomas Byrne; Italy
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan; Chicago, USA
Minister of State Ossian Smyth Spain; Portugal
Minister of State Josepha Madigan; Slovenia
Minister of State Martin Heydon; Lebanon
Minister of State Anne Rabbitte; Romania
Minister of State Colm Brophy; Mexico
Minister of State Joe O’Brien; Finland
Minister of State Peter Burke; Japan; South Korea
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan; – No travel
Minister of State Robert Troy; India
Minister of State Damien English; Sweden
Minister of State Mary Butler ; Belgium
Minister of State Frank Feighan; Poland
Minister of State Niall Collins ; Croatia
Minister of State Sean Fleming ; North of England; Scotland, UK
Minister of State James Browne ; Czech Republic
Attorney General; Washington D.C., USA
In a statement, the Government said the central message of this year’s St Patrick’s Day is that Ireland is reopening, and the international programme will focus on the theme of Rebuilding Connections & Supporting Communities across the globe.
The hugely successful ‘Global Greening’ initiative will continue this year, with over 600 iconic landmark buildings around the world planned to be lit up green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
The Government has said the objectives for the St Patrick’s Day 2022 programme include reconnecting and strengthen relationships with key political leaders, business leaders, decision makers, influencers and stakeholders across the world.
Celebrating the country’s contemporary and traditional arts, culture and heritage.
And enhancing international understanding of Ireland as a great place to live, visit, work, invest, trade with, and study.
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