Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 599: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19195/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I made an official visit to Argentina from 14 to 20 March for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. In line with Government policy, I took full advantage of my visit there to promote Ireland as a modern, democratic State, an attractive tourist destination and a country with a vibrant economy that offers attractive business opportunities. I also availed of the opportunity to explain ongoing developments in regard to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Highlights of my trip included an address on modern Ireland to the Centro Argentino de Relaciones Internacionales; a meeting at the presidential palace with the Argentine Minister for the Interior, Señor Anibal Fernández; I hosted a lunch for significant Argentine opinion makers including academic, judicial, legal and human rights figures; I attended a meeting with the Irish community of San Antonio de Areco outside Buenos Aires hosted by Mr. Kevin Farrell, President of the Federation of Irish Societies in Argentina, and Irish priest, Father Tom O'Donnell; I was guest of honour at the St. Patrick's Day reception in Buenos Aires hosted by our ambassador, Mr. Ken Thompson, for members of the expatriate Irish community and leading figures in Argentine cultural and business life, whom I addressed on behalf of the Government and people; I represented the Government at an homage to General José de San Martin, founder of the Argentine nation, organised by the Argentine Ministry of Defence; I attended as guest of honour the wreath-laying ceremony organised by the Argentine navy at Admiral Brown's monument, where I addressed the attendance as the representative of the Government; I attended a St. Patrick's Day mass in the Holy Cross parish church, Buenos Aires, followed by a reception hosted by the Federation of Irish Societies, at which I addressed the guests; and I visited a Development Cooperation Ireland funded NGO project in Oberá, northern Argentina, which provides a home for handicapped and abandoned children. I also visited a nearby home for the elderly, also supported by Development Cooperation Ireland. Both of the latter projects are managed by Father Liam Hayes SMA who as well as securing support from Development Cooperation Ireland over the years, has an extensive Irish support network.

Throughout the visit and on the margins of the official functions I attended, I took every possible opportunity to meet informally with members of the Irish community and influential personalities in Argentine business and official life, to promote Ireland and explore areas of mutual interest. I also gave interviews to several journalists which were carried on local radio and television, in the prestigious La Prenza, Argentina's newspaper of record, as well as the English language daily papers in Buenos Aires.

There were seven persons in the official party, which included myself, the Secretary General of my Department, our respective spouses, my programme delivery manager, press officer and private secretary. I can confirm the total cost of the scheduled business flight involved was €35,147.07. The figures relating to the other costs incurred are not yet to hand.