Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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88. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for ministerial travel abroad over the course of the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations; if members of the Government and-or a delegation will visit the White House during that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3095/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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St. Patrick’s Day has always offered 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. Against a background of unprecedented uncertainty and change, Ministerial travel in and around St. Patrick’s Day is a particularly valuable opportunity to convey our views and interests to our partners abroad.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will this year, as in previous years, announce a St. Patrick’s Day programme of Ministerial visits designed to ensure that we make the best possible use of this exposure to enhance Ireland’s visibility internationally, to deepen bilateral relations, to promote our trade, tourism and investment interests, and to strengthen ties with the Irish diaspora.

In recent weeks my officials here in Dublin, in close consultation with the Embassy network and colleagues in the State agencies and other Government departments, have devised a list of recommended destinations and itineraries for St. Patrick’s Day 2017. These have been determined to provide the greatest promotional and political opportunities in line with our current priorities and with our strategic goals. I will be bringing this list of recommendations to Cabinet for consideration shortly and will announce our finalised programme in due course.

Over the St. Patrick’s Day period last year, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, seven Ministers and two Ministers of State undertook an extensive programme of visits to seventeen cities in six countries. As in previous years, Ireland’s strong links with North America were reinforced through our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, with 41 political, economic and cultural events hosted by our Embassies and Consulates in thirteen cities across the United States and Canada over the period.

This programme of events included a meeting at the White House between the Taoiseach and the President of the United States, a tradition that in some form dates back to 1952 and is a significant symbol of the warm relationship enjoyed by our two peoples. President Trump has already informed the Taoiseach of his intention to continue this tradition, and the Government is committed to engaging with the new administration in the interests of our long-standing and mutually beneficial ties.