Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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309. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans for St. Patrick’s Day trade missions. [6021/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, 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 visibility and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country. 

Every year, Ireland’s Mission network supports visits by an Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers and Minsters of State, and, in recent years, an Ceann Comhairle, an Cathaoirleach and the Attorney General. In 2019, for example, they visited 116 cities across 56 countries to promote Ireland and Irish business. 

This year will be very different owing to the Covid 19 Pandemic. Planning for St Patrick’s Day is at an advanced stage in my Department, and details will be made available, including to Members of the Oireachtas, as soon as possible.

I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to avail of opportunities to promote our trade and investment relationship with all of our economic partners and to connect with diaspora communities across the world.