As the Deputy will be aware, I travelled to Canada to promote Ireland's economic, political and community interests during St Patrick's Day celebrations. My programme was designed to achieve three key objectives: to outline our economic strategy and progress achieved to key Canadian political and business figures; to increase trade and investment between our two countries; and to engage with recently arrived Irish emigrants and more longstanding members of the Irish community.
I travelled to Canada on an economy class return ticket totalling €673. I was accompanied by four officials whose return flights amounted to €2,850.
Final costs for the full programme are not yet available. However, available other costs associated with the visit were: hotel accommodation for the delegation — CAN$2,480.35 (€1,867); internal flights for delegation — CAN $903.25 (€680); and car and driver hire (people carrier) — CAN $3,182.19 (€2,396).
My visit to Canada from 16-18 March was the most senior visit by a member of the Government to that country in almost 8 years. The visit included a series of engagements in Montreal and Toronto and formed an important part of our ongoing commitment to re-invigorate Ireland's relationship with Canada.
The key engagements of my visit included:
an investment breakfast at the Montreal Board of Trade with senior executives from leading companies in Montreal, targeted by the IDA;
an address to the St Patrick's Society of Montreal annual luncheon, attended by over 500 of the city's most influential political, business and community leaders;
a meeting with the members of the Global Irish Network and senior business contacts in Toronto;
an Enterprise Ireland business breakfast in Toronto, after which I participated in a number of product launches and announcements by Irish companies;
the official opening of the Ireland Canadian Immigration Centre, supported through my Department's Emigrant Support Programme;
meetings with the Federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, James Kenney, and with the Premier of Quebec, Jean Charest. My meeting with Minister Kenney included a detailed discussion on proposals on immigration requirements which would be beneficial for Irish citizens;
the launch of the Government's Certificate of Irish Heritage programme, in Canada including a presentation to former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin;
meetings with the Orange Order, the GAA and other organisations.