Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will be travelling abroad for the St. Patrick's Day festivities; and if so, the location she will be visiting; the functions she will be attending; and the groups she will meet with. [9939/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will visit Prague in the Czech Republic from 16 to 19 March where I will be the guest of honour at the ambassador's St. Patrick's Day reception for senior representatives from the business, trade and tourism and cultural sectors, and the Irish community. I will also participate in a number of Bord Bia sponsored events to market Irish products in the growing Czech market, including an in-store promotion, media presentation and a business lunch for key Czech agents and distributors. I will be guest of honour at the Czech-Irish Business Association St. Patrick's Day annual dinner on Saturday, 18 March. On Sunday, I will attend a St. Patrick's Day mass for members of the Irish community. In addition, I will hold bilateral talks with the Czech Minister for Agriculture on a range of issues, including WTO and CAP policy as well as with local authorities on matters of mutual interest. Irish exports to the Czech Republic grew by over 10% in 2004 and showed a year-on-year expansion of over 24% in the first half of 2005. There are already approximately 50 Irish companies operating in the Czech Republic.