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State Visits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Questions (15)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the co-ordination of the various State visits that members of the Government are making on St. Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/19]

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Written answers

St Patrick’s Day is a unique opportunity, unmatched by any other country, to promote Ireland to an international audience and to renew our bonds with the global Irish family. Ministerial visits over the St Patrick’s Day period advance Ireland’s political and economic interests, and deepen relationships with important partners and Irish communities overseas.

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers, Attorney General, Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach will visit 58 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific region over the 2019 St Patrick’s Day period, and will promote Ireland as a great place to live, visit, study, work and do business.

In the context of Brexit, this year’s St Patrick’s Day programme will also serve as a platform to underline Ireland’s commitment to and membership of the European Union. Ministers will visit all 27 EU capitals over the St Patrick’s Day period.

The 2019 programme also reflects Ireland’s expanding diplomatic and state agency presence around the world, as part of the Global Ireland initiative. Ministers will visit Wellington, Vancouver, Bogota and Santiago, where Ireland has recently opened new diplomatic missions. Mumbai and Los Angeles will also receive a Ministerial visit over the St Patrick’s Day period, in advance of the opening of new Irish Consulates there later this year.

St Patrick’s Day visits will also provide an opportunity to advance Ireland’s campaign for a seat on the Security Council of the United Nations in 2020 – 2021.

The Embassy network is currently working closely with all other members of Team Ireland in Ireland and abroad to finalise Ministerial programmes. Each Minister and Department is responsible for their own costs and all costs will be carefully controlled.

Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 10.
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