Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I raised the issue in the House and on the tourism committee two years ago. Not only was I excoriated, but the media came down on me on the basis that I was supposedly attempting to stifle its right, which I stoutly defend, to investigate the public cost of Ministers travelling abroad.

Ignoring Senator Comiskey's remarks on the report, something needs to be put on the record. This is the one time of year that everyone's focus is on our small country on the periphery of Europe. We are but a dot on the map of the world yet a series of iconic attractions including, Niagara Falls, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye and Fifth Avenue in New York, have been lit up in green. I believe the Brandenburg Gate may also be included. What other country could get this type of free advertising for its size? I applaud the Government on sending its Ministers out wearing the green jersey, which I have always supported. If the journalists are listening, I hope they will give a fair wind - particularly this year - to Ministers going abroad. By all means they can investigate what it is costing the public purse; that is not the issue. As Senator Comiskey has said when speaking about that report, the issue is that our Ministers are going out there to try to bring people to the country. Every additional 60 visitors to the country results in one new job. It is simple economics not rocket science. I applaud the Government and the Taoiseach and I hope they will give the highest possible profile to the country. I hope the Taoiseach will hand over the bowl of shamrock.

Following the remarks I made two years ago, one individual went on a local radio station to ask why President Obama would not come here so that we could present him with shamrock here.