John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consideration that was given to assisting Ireland in relation to Brexit in the St Patrick's Day travel plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3691/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I was pleased to announce the ‘Promote Ireland’ programme of St Patrick’s Day Ministerial visits on 16 January. St. Patrick’s Day provides Ireland with an unparalleled opportunity to promote our political and economic interests abroad, as well as access to key political and business contacts in leading markets around world. Delivering a comprehensive, strategic approach to high-level visits and trade missions, including St. Patrick’s Day Ministerial programmes, is a key commitment of the Government’s trade strategy Ireland Connected, launched in March 2017 and an outcome of the recent Team Ireland Conference. This year, the Taoiseach, Government Ministers, Chief Whip and I will participate in programmes to promote Ireland and Irish interests in more than 30 countries across the globe during the St Patrick’s Day period. The majority of the destinations chosen are priority markets for Ireland’s trade, tourism and investment interests, where a high-level political presence will reinforce the year-round promotional efforts of our diplomatic teams and state agencies in market. Ministerial visits to the EU have been prioritised in 2018 given the importance of building strategic alliances in the context of Phase II of the Brexit negotiations and, looking forward, a post-Brexit European Union. Ministerial programmes will also provide an opportunity to explore market diversification opportunities for Irish companies. I expect that Ministers will visit 14 EU capitals over the St Patrick’s period. A comprehensive list of destinations for ‘Promote Ireland’ Ministerial programmes has been published on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In advance of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day programme, to ensure a coordinated approach to activity, a set of key messages, including on Brexit, will be provided to Ministers and our Embassy network abroad in advance of Saint Patrick’s Day.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day programme will also serve as a platform to launch the Global Footprint initiative as announced by the Taoiseach in August 2017. St. Patrick’s Day will likewise be an opportunity to reinforce key messages on Northern Ireland, Ireland’s campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2021-22 and the Irish economy. Finally, our travels will renew the bonds of friendship with the global Irish family at a time when their thoughts are very much on their home country.