Kenny To Meet Obama, Boehner In Washington

The Irish government has scaled back the number of Ministers who will travel around the world for St Patrick's Day.

The trips are seen as a vital opportunity to promote Ireland for trade and tourism, but they also regularly attract criticism from the public at home as expensive junkets.

In an attempt to allay those concerns, the new Taoiseach Enda Kenny said just eight countries would be visited by eight ministers this year.

Last year, 22 government representatives spent St Patrick's Day travelling to 24 countries.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will meet President Barack Obama in the White House on March 17th.

His series of engagements include meetings with senior US figures from both the Obama administration and Congress.

These include Vice President Joe Biden and House speaker John Boehner.

He will have a number of engagements supporting Irish trade, tourism, culture, business and investment.

The Washington trip also looks like providing Mr Kenny with his first meeting since taking office with Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

President Obama spoke by phone with Mr Kenny last Friday to congratulate him on assuming his office and to wish him good luck as the new Taoiseach.

The President assured him of the United States' strong support for Ireland.

The pair said they would discuss events in Libya and other international and domestic issues during an Oval Office meeting on Thursday.

The commitment of the new Irish government to the United States is proven by the fact that the two most senior members of government are coming here.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who is Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will visit New York for the 250th Anniversary Parade.

The only other destination to receive two Ministers will be London, where Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan will visit early this week, and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton will attend on St Patrick's Day itself.

Other destinations to be visited include some of Ireland's major trading partners, as well as fast-growing emerging markets.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveny will be in Paris, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn in Italy, Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton in Germany,

The new Tourism minister Leo Varadkar will visit India - the birthplace of his father.

While Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald will visit Australia and pay a special visit to Christchurch in New Zealand, which was recently devastated by an earthquake.

"Rebuilding Ireland's reputation is at the core of the Government's objectives for its first 100 days in office," said Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

"We will use the unique global platform that is St Patrick's Day to give a clear message to the world that Ireland is open for business, that we have a bright future and that a historic process of political and economic renewal has begun."

"We will do this effectively, but in a way that ensures value for money," he added.

"Travel will be restricted to a smaller number of destinations that are top priorities for Irish trade, business and jobs. Programs will be shorter and more focused than in previous years."