Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the details of his travels abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the people who travelled with him in the official party; the duration of the visit; and the cost. [14502/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I represented the Government at a number of engagements and events in Boston to celebrate and mark St. Patrick's Day in the USA. My official party travelled to Boston on 14 March 2006 and returned on 18 March 2006.

My itinerary included an address that focused on Ireland's knowledge economy to the Irish Association at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an address at a breakfast to mark the expansion of the operations of the Irish software company, Candidate Manager. I also spoke at an Irish American Partnership breakfast and an Ireland Chamber of Commerce, ICCUSA, St. Patrick's Day brunch. I also met Irish immigration organisations and support groups located in the Boston area and attended the formal opening of a major new exhibition at the JFK Library on President Kennedy's visit to Ireland in June 1963. In addition, I was guest at a number of Irish and US diplomatic receptions.

The official party consisted of myself, my private secretary and my personal assistant. The costs of the trip are not yet available.