Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost incurred by his Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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This year saw the introduction of the Government’s Ministerial-led St. Patrick’s Day “Promote Ireland” Programme, which saw 19 Government Ministers travel to 21 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia for a series of trade, investment and tourism-focused programmes.

Ministers participated in over 150 business-related events, 30+ high-level political meetings – including bilaterals with US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry – along with cultural, networking and Irish community events throughout the St. Patrick’s Day period. Hundreds of companies participated in events and meetings as part of this Ministerial-led Programme.

As part of the Programme, I travelled to Germany for a 4-day programme in Munich, Cologne and Dusseldorf, which included an event in Munich with 100 companies, 8 meetings with IDA and Enterprise Ireland target companies, 3 Bord Bia events as well as a meeting with Prof Brend Venohr, a renowned expert on the Mittelstand sector of mid-sized employment-intensive companies. The programme, which is the 14th major trade/investment mission I have undertaken in 24 months in office, also included a series of Irish community/cultural events.

My colleague, Minister Perry travelled to Scotland, participating in a range of trade, tourism and cultural events in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. These included meeting with Enterprise Ireland client companies who have a strong Scottish presence.

The costs incurred by my Department in respect of both these trips relate to flights, accommodation and subsistence in respect of both Minister Perry and I and our respective Private Secretaries. The costs are set out in the following table:

*relates to miscellaneous travel costs incurred such as taxis