Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost in relation to foreign travel, accommodation and related ministerial and official costs associated with St. Patrick's Day 2008; and the plans related to St. Patrick's Day 2009 and the projected cost. [6152/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My predecessor, the late Minister Seamus Brennan TD did not travel abroad for St. Patrick's Day 2008 and as such there were no associated costs. The St. Patrick's Day Ministerial programme for 2009 is not yet finalised and projected costs cannot be determined at this stage. The cost of the individual programmes and accompanying delegations will, in all cases, be kept to a reasonable minimum. In view of the current difficult economic climate, the potential provided by these visits to promote trade and business opportunities will be maximised and will be a key component of the 2009 programmes.