Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which it is expected to use the St Patrick's Day feast day celebrations worldwide to promote the national image and explore and expand trade and commercial activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9275/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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St. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country. This year, as with previous years, it is the intention of the Government to maximise all opportunities generated by Saint Patrick’s Day, including the traditional programme of ministerial travel, to promote our national image and our trade and commercial interests. Our Embassy network will prepare targeted programmes focused on promoting Ireland’s trade, tourism and investment objectives for travelling Ministers, making the most of their presence to raise the profile and coverage of events and secure high-level access. Examples of events that Ministers will engage in include meetings related to trade, tourism and investment opportunities, media interviews, networking events, and bilateral meetings with national, regional and local Ministers, along with other high profile events such as Greening ceremonies.

The promotional efforts of my Department will, of course, not be limited to the small number of countries that receive ministerial visits; our entire Embassy network across 58 countries will work hard to ensure that Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations are utilised fully in support of our economic and reputational interests.

The Trade and Promotion Division of my Department will develop a set of key messages tailored to Saint Patrick’s Day, in cooperation with the relevant state agencies, which will be circulated widely and which our Embassy network and travelling Ministers will be able to draw on to spread a positive message about Ireland’s recovery and future prospects.