TDs' diaspora

FEWER Cabinet Ministers than usual are away for St Patrick's Day, but plenty of Government TDs are in foreign parts on official…

FEWER Cabinet Ministers than usual are away for St Patrick's Day, but plenty of Government TDs are in foreign parts on official, semi-official, constituency or private St Patrick's Day business. The Dail is in recess next week but most of the overseas activities are this week - hence this year's difficulties.

One of the most glamorous events took place last Monday night in New York, where Bill Clinton was named Irish American of the Year. At the Plaza Hotel, the Minister for Tourism, Enda Kenny (who was not best pleased at being excluded from the platform) with the North's Baroness Denton, on White House instructions, presented the president with a set of Irish table mats depicting great Irish golf courses, including Ballybunion which he missed last year.

Apart from travelling Cabinet members, juniors abroad this weekend include Eamon Gilmore in Chicago, Bernard Allen in Atlanta, Emmet Stagg in Moscow and Avril Doyle in Australia with the Famine commemoration group. There are also several deputies who are members of Dublin City Council. They have gone to San Jose for a week-long programme with the city's twin.