With Covid-19 seemingly in retreat the Irish government is preparing for its "widest yet engagement" with governments and Irish communities on every continent - bar Antarctica - this coming St. Patrick's Day.
The government has announced a 2023 St. Patrick's Day program which will see the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and government ministers "take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world."
According to a release, this year’s program "will see the widest yet engagement by Ireland with Ministers reaching out to partner Governments and Irish communities on every continent. In all, 36 representatives of the State will bring Ireland’s message to 74 cities in 44 countries."
Added the release: "St. Patrick’s Day offers an unmatched opportunity to promote Ireland abroad. It is an important part of the Government’s ‘Global Ireland’ strategy which seeks to promote Ireland as an outstanding location to live, visit, work, invest in, trade with, and study.
"This year, St. Patrick’s Day will mark ‘100 Years of Ireland in the World’, a century of our country’s engagement as an active member of the international community in the promotion of democracy, peace and security.
"Ministers will acknowledge a number of important milestones which occur this year: The centenary of Ireland’s joining the League of Nations, the fiftieth anniversary of our accession to the then EEC, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
"Ministers will emphasise Ireland’s commitment to the international rules-based multilateral system, our membership of the European Union and our commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement. The Ministerial programme will celebrate our heritage and renew our links with our global Diaspora and business leaders."
Continued the release, which is carried in full on the Department of Foreign Affairs website, the objectives for the SPD 2023 programme are as follows: "On its 25th anniversary, to reiterate our support for consolidating the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement; Emphasise the importance and value of our membership of the European Union on the 50th anniversary of our accession to the European Communities; Re-affirm Ireland’s steadfast commitment to the people of Ukraine; Connect with Irish communities overseas and emphasise the importance of our Diaspora; Build further on relationships with key political leaders, business leaders, decision makers, influencers and stakeholders across the world;
Celebrate Ireland’s contemporary and traditional arts, culture and heritage; Promote Ireland as an outstanding location to live, visit, work, invest in, trade with, and study."
As part of the program, and in specific terms visits to North America, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be in Washington while Tánaiste Micheál Martin will be in New York and Boston. Minister Michael McGrath will visit Chicago and Toronto. Minister Norma Foley will travel to Philadelphia while Minister Catherine Martin will be in Los Angeles and San Diego. Minister Darragh O'Brien will be in Atlanta and Savannah. Minister Stephen Donnelly will travel to Canada. Minister Simon Harris will be in San Francisco and Vancouver. Chief Whip and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton will visit Miami and Mexico. Minister of State Thomas Byrne will travel to Austin and Dallas.
Suffice it to say, Russia is not on the ministerial travel list.
