Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposed itinerary for St. Patrick's week celebrations; the areas and countries involved and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6636/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is intended that I will visit China during St. Patrick's week where, supported by the Irish Embassy and Enterprise Ireland, I will seek to build on the recent successful visit by the Taoiseach and his delegation to that country.

The programme for my visit to Shanghai and Beijing has yet to be finalised. However, I expect to meet with the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai and to present the George Bernard Shaw essay prize at Fudan University, Shanghai. I also expect to meet in Beijing with the Minister responsible for the state environmental protection administration, to attend a St. Patrick's Day reception hosted by the ambassador in Beijing and to meet with representatives of the Irish community in both cities.

It is proposed that the Ministers of State at my Department will visit the Czech Republic, Hungary and Russia respectively over the St. Patrick's Day period; programmes for these visits are not yet fully finalised. Ireland's economic ties with all of these countries have been growing and the ministerial visits will show recognition of the importance we attach to this development.

Following his attendance at the EU housing Ministers' conference in Prague on 14 and 15 March, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, will meet the Czech Irish business association. He will then travel to Budapest for St. Patrick's Day celebrations organised by the Irish Embassy. The Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, as well as attending the St. Patrick's Day parade in Moscow, will meet officials at city and state government level to discuss topics of mutual interest, including protection of biodiversity. He is also scheduled to attend business and social events involving the Irish community.