John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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148. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he travelled abroad as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the locations he travelled to; the duration of the trip; the cost of the trip, including travel and accommodation in addition to other expenses incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18901/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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. Ministerial visits around this period are organised to ensure that we use this exposure to maximise the promotion of Ireland’s trade, tourism and investment interests and to spread a positive message about Ireland remaining a committed member of the EU.

This year, I undertook a four day St Patrick’s Day promotional programme to Paris and Cannes. I had the opportunity to meet with Minister Sapin, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Affairs where I raised Ireland’s concerns and priorities.

I also addressed a number of Irish community engagements including Saint Patrick’s “Greening Tours” in both Paris and Cannes and a St Patrick’s Day reception at the Irish Embassy.

I attended business events to promote trade, tourism and investment and to promote Ireland in the international media.

Each Minister and Department is responsible for their own costs and, where Embassies incur costs on behalf of Ministers, these are agreed with the Ministers’ offices in advance. Before travelling, all Ministers are reminded that the programme of Ministerial visits for St. Patrick’s Day should be undertaken in the most cost efficient way possible.

With these guidelines on travel in place, the cost of my Saint Patrick’s Day travel in 2017 was €196.79. The Department of Foreign Affairs arranged accommodation and internal transport. These costs are not available to me yet but the Department will be invoiced for these costs in due course.