TAOISEACH BERTIE Ahern has defended the St Patrick's Day trips abroad by Ministers on the grounds that they showcase Ireland to a huge worldwide audience.
As Mr Ahern faced criticism in the Dáil yesterday over the costs associated with the trips abroad of over 30 Ministers and their officials, he said the Government puts a lot of thought into the trips and the 45 locations chosen, some of which have links to specific trade missions.
"St Patrick's Day offers an excellent opportunity to highlight to a global audience, in a way that cannot happen at any other time of the year, the advantages of doing business in this country."
The Taoiseach was facing questions in the Dáil from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny who claimed that some trips last for up to 10 days and involved some very high costs. "I do not want to send every Minister away with his or her own sandwich pack in a bag. In terms of the disconnect between Government and the people, there is a need to cut back but there is no evidence of any cutback here," he said. Mr Kenny's questions were prompted by figures obtained by RTE's Morning Ireland which showed that last year trips abroad by Ministers cost taxpayers in excess of €560,000. The most expensive trip was Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey's trip to California and Texas which cost the exchequer €75,000.
An apartment in the Hassler Roma hotel booked for Minister for Tourism Séamus Brennan's two-day trip to Italy last year cost €1,650 per night. Mr Brennan last night said the accommodation had been a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Ahern said that our national holiday of St Patrick's Day worked so well abroad that countries like Britain are now trying to copy it.
"I am glad to see in 2008 that [ British prime minister] Gordon Browne has decided that what we have for generations seems to be his best political idea."
The Government Information Service said last night that "historical developments in the peace process in 2007 provide an opportunity this St Patrick's Day to promote a message of hope, partnership and prosperity on the island of Ireland. Ireland's economic horizons have expanded. In deciding on ministerial travel commitments for St Patrick's Day, an important Government consideration was the promotion of trade and business opportunities in key economic markets, as well as raising awareness of the potential for growth in our economic relations with emerging markets."