I travelled to Korea and Japan as part of the 2017 Irish Government's St Patrick's Day Promote Ireland programme. The programme included a 3 day programme in Seoul, Korea and a 3 day programme in Tokyo, Japan. I was accompanied on the visit by two officials; my Private Secretary and Special Adviser. The programme aimed to promote trade, investment and tourism in Ireland through a series of economic and cultural activities. The programme included engagements with major Korean, Japanese and Irish employers, meetings with Ministerial counterparts and speaking engagements at influential business organisations. The programme also provided an important opportunity to thank Ireland's partners in Korea and Japan for their investment in the relationship, and to highlight the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan.
Costs associated with the visit are contained in the following table:
Name
|
Flight details
Dublin Seoul
Tokyo Dublin
|
Flight details
Seoul Tokyo
|
Accommodation
Korea Seoul
|
Accommodation
Japan-Tokyo*
|
Other**
|
Total
|
Minister
|
€3,423.82
|
€316.36
|
€515.47
|
Paid by Japanese Government
|
€3,088.99
|
€7,344.64
|
Private Secretary
|
€3,423.82
|
€316.36
|
€450.41
|
Paid by Japanese Government
|
€0.00
|
€4,190.59
|
Special Adviser
|
€3,423.82
|
€316.36
|
€450.41
|
Paid by Japanese Government
|
€0.00
|
€4,190.59
|
Calculations are based on online currency exchange figures as there are a number of outstanding invoices to be received from D/Foreign Affairs.
*Accommodation for Tokyo paid by Japanese Government as part of the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic relations.
**Other includes gifts, business cards, translation costs, ministerial briefings and travel and subsistence.