Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 815: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the details of her travels abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the people who travelled with her in their official party; the duration of the visit; and the cost. [14507/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I travelled to the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, accompanied by two persons in my party. The duration of the visit was three days, from 21 March to 23 March 2006 inclusive. The total cost of the trip has not yet been finalised but the amount paid to date by my Department is €17,355.37.

The itinerary included the following engagements; meeting the Minister for Education, visiting higher colleges of technology, attending a lunch meeting with educationalists hosted by higher colleges of technology, meeting the Committee of Irish Society, meeting the EI office and visiting proposed visa office, visiting "Knowledge Village", Dubai, meeting Irish business people, visiting Aer Lingus local handler — Dnata, attending tourism promotion events, meeting Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, attending a reception for Ireland UAE business network, attending a GAA tournament and presenting trophies to the under-aged teams, and acting as the guest speaker at the Irish Society ball.

The accelerated development of Dubai as a regional hub for the Gulf and surrounding markets and as a distribution, marketing, manufacturing and information and communications centre has resulted in a number of Irish companies establishing their regional headquarters in Dubai. In the course of my visit to Dubai I met with local Irish business leaders.

There is an active young Irish community in the UAE, mainly in the education, service and construction sectors. I attended the Committee of Irish Society dinner and ball where I presented the prizes for a GAA tournament taking place in Dubai.

Aer Lingus recently commenced its new direct flight service to Dubai and I will also use my visit to the UAE to actively promote Ireland as a tourism destination.