Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2013
241. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an itinerary of his official engagements in the Far East over the recent St. Patrick's Day holiday as part of the promote Ireland programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. [19528/13]
View answerAs part of the Government's St Patricks Day "Promote Ireland" programme I travelled to Japan and South Korea. I set out the principle engagements below. As the Deputy will be aware, St. Patrick's Day is a unique opportunity to promote Ireland abroad. Few, if any, other countries have a national day which is so widely known and celebrated across the entire globe. As a country we should maximise the value we get from such global attention and goodwill. The purpose of these visits is threefold: Firstly, to promote Irish economic and cultural links overseas. Secondly, to use the opportunity of St Patrick's Day to strengthen our bi-lateral relationship with other states and thirdly, to connect with our diaspora overseas as well as those individuals with a strong connection or affinity with Ireland.
Tuesday 12th March
Travel
Wednesday 13th March
Arrival in Seoul, South Korea
Briefing with Irish Embassy, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA
Meeting with Irish Business Community and contacts
Thursday 14th March
Meeting with Global Irish Network member
Meeting with IDA target company
Meeting with Minister for Patriots and Veterans Affairs
Meeting with Seoul Finance Forum
Interview with Korean media
Meeting with Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport
Meeting with EI clients
National Day Reception
Friday 15th March
Travel from Seoul, South Korea to Tokyo, Japan
Meeting with Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League
Working Lunch with Irish Embassy, Enterprise Ireland and IDA staff
Meeting with Japan Rail East
Meeting with EI client
Media Interview
Irish National Day Reception
Saturday 16th March
Yokohama St. Patrick’s Day Parade & related functions
Meeting with EI Clients
Emerald Ball
Sunday 17th March
Tokyo St. Patrick’s Day Parade & related functions
Monday 18th March
Meeting with Members of the Global Irish Network
Briefing for members of the Tourism Trade in Japan
Meeting with Japanese Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Meeting with Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Meeting with IDA client
Meeting with Mitsui Busan
Speak at Glen Dimplex seminar on Green Energy
Tuesday 19th March
Travel to Osaka
Meeting with IDA Client
Meetings with Vice-Governor of Osaka Prefecture
Meeting with EI client
Meeting with IDA target
Meeting with English Language School
Irish National Day Reception, Osaka
Wednesday 20th March
Depart Osaka
