The Government’s annual St Patrick’s Day trade mission plans have been officially been announced with destinations such as the USA, Argentina, Japan and China on the cards for the Government’s top ranking officials.
In what has been the subject of public criticism in recent years leading politicians will once again have a holiday to look forward to whilst they apparently try to boost the Irish economy by building relations with leading international figures.
Amongst those who are expected to leave the country on St Patrick’s weekend are the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Tanaiste Simon Coveney and the Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.
In total our Government officials will visit 38 countries this March with only the Transport Minister Shane Ross opting to stay at home.
During the latest trade mission which will surely see a public outcry from the Irish taxpayer, the Taoiseach along with a number of other Government officials will travel to the White House on St Patricks weekend, whilst both Mr Coveney and Mr Donohoe will visit China and Argentina respectively.
Meanwhile both the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy and the Minister for Communications Dennis Naughten will visit Japan and Canada.
The much debated St Patrick’s Day state vists have come in for strong criticism in recent years as recent figures show the Irish taxpayer spends millions funding the trips each year which seemingly provide little to no return.