Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 959: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of his travels abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the people who travelled with him in their official party; the duration of the visit; and the cost. [14509/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I visited Malaysia, Thailand and Japan from 11 March to 19 March, accompanied by my wife for part of the journey and by my private secretary. During my visit, I met the vice president of the St. Patrick's Society in Kuala Lumpur, attended a signing ceremony between Allianze College of Medical Sciences, University College Cork and National University of Ireland, Galway and attended the St. Patrick's ball. I also attended an Irish Business Network function co-hosted by the Irish ambassador and Enterprise Ireland and a function for business partners by Irish Universities Medical Consortium. I spent a day in Bangkok, where I attended the Festival of Ireland 2006, organised by the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

In Osaka, I attended meetings at Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Matsushita Electronics and visited ECC Language School, Osaka. I also attended a reception to meet Irish communities and local dignitaries living in western Japan. In Tokyo, I attended a working lunch with the junior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Japanese parliamentarians. I met with the Minister for the Environment and paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I was guest of honour at a GAA sports day and presented the trophy for a cup match between Japan GAA and the Australian football team. I also attended a function organised by the American Ireland Fund of Japan and was guest of honour at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Tokyo. The total cost to my Department to date amounts to €11,115, excluding accommodation costs which are not yet to hand.