Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost incurred by his Department, for this year's overseas travel programme for St Patrick's Day, which saw the Taoiseach and eight Ministers heading abroad for the holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17328/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I travelled to Canada to promote Ireland's economic, political and community interests during St Patrick's Day celebrations. My programme was designed to achieve three key objectives: to outline our economic strategy and progress achieved to key Canadian political and business figures; to increase trade and investment between our two countries; and to engage with recently arrived Irish emigrants and more longstanding members of the Irish community.

I travelled to Canada on an economy class return ticket totalling €673. I was accompanied by four officials whose return flights amounted to €2,850.

Final costs for the full programme are not yet available. However, available other costs associated with the visit were: hotel accommodation for the delegation- CAN$2,480.35 (€1,867); internal flights for delegation- CAN $903.25 (€680); and car and driver hire (people carrier) - CAN $3,182.19 (€2,396).

My visit to Canada from 16-18 March was the most senior visit by a member of the Government to that country in almost 8 years. The visit included a series of engagements in Montreal and Toronto and formed an important part of our ongoing commitment to re-invigorate Ireland's relationship with Canada.

The key engagements of my visit included:

an investment breakfast at the Montreal Board of Trade with senior executives from leading companies in Montreal, targeted by the IDA;

an address to the St Patrick's Society of Montreal annual luncheon, attended by over 500 of the city's most influential political, business and community leaders;

a meeting with the members of the Global Irish Network and senior business contacts in Toronto;

an Enterprise Ireland business breakfast in Toronto, after which I participated in a number of product launches and announcements by Irish companies;

the official opening of the Ireland Canadian Immigration Centre, supported through my Department's Emigrant Support Programme;

meetings with the Federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, James Kenney, and with the Premier of Quebec, Jean Charest. My meeting with Minister Kenney included a detailed discussion on proposals on immigration requirements which would be beneficial for Irish citizens;

the launch of the Government's Certificate of Irish Heritage programme, in Canada including a presentation to former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin;

meetings with the Orange Order, the GAA and other organizations.