Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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573. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland's missions abroad, assisted by recent St Patrick's Day visits by Ministers and VIPS have continued to benefit from the promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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574. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which security and cooperation has been a feature of discussions throughout the St Patrick's Day celebrations at the various locations to which Ministers and VIPs were posted for the festivities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13916/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.

St. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity, cultural activity, diaspora engagement, and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country.

I visited New York and Boston and met the UN Secretary-General; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Congressman Neal; Mayor Eric Adams; Attorney General Letitia James, as well as a range of business and community leaders.

In addition, supported by Ireland’s missions abroad, and in the spirit of Team Ireland, the Taoiseach, the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach, the Attorney General and ministers of state, carried out 76 programmes, in more than 70 cities, across 41 countries on all continents.

Given the economic emphasis underlying each ministerial programme, including my own, the visits help to create jobs in Ireland, and strengthen the relationship with key established and emerging economic partners. Existing relationships with key political leaders, business leaders, decision makers, influencers and stakeholders across the world are developed and strengthened and cooperation across a wide range of fields, including economy, security, and trade. The impacts of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and our cooperation with partners in responding to it, has obviously featured widely in discussions, including in my own meeting with the UN Secretary-General.

As well as events and engagements with an economic or political focus, programmes included a range of in-person cultural - celebrating Ireland’s contemporary and traditional arts, culture and heritage - and Irish community events.

To ensure a coordinated approach to activity, a set of key messages, developed in collaboration with Departments and State Agencies, was provided to Ministers and the Mission network in advance of these visits.

The programme for 2023 delivered strongly on the Government’s objective of engaging with our diaspora, our key partners and friends, building on the success of previous years.