Seymour Crawford
Ceist:90 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his St. Patrick's week visit to the United States. [9947/03]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:129 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings he held during his visit to the United States during the St. Patrick's Day period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9870/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 129 together.
Successive Governments have traditionally availed of the period around St Patrick's Day to capitalise on the goodwill and unparalleled opportunities generated by the celebrations to promote Ireland around the world, including in terms of highlighting Ireland as an attractive tourist destination. I carried out a full programme of events and meetings while I was in the San Francisco area. During the course of my engagements, I met with the Mayors of Oakland and San Francisco and with representatives of state agencies, including Tourism Ireland, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland during my engagements in Silicon Valley.
I also had discussions on trade and investment issues with representatives of local business, and participated in a number of St Patrick's Day-related events, including speaking engagements at the Hibernian Newman lunch in San Francisco and the Parade Grand Marshal's dinner, which I used as additional opportunities to promote tourism to Ireland. I also met with members of the large Irish Community in San Francisco and San José, and availed of opportunities throughout my visit to update contacts in the US on developments in the peace process and to thank them for their on-going support.