Government ministers and Ministers of State going abroad for St Patricks Day have been told to highlight the global threat of climate change in their travels.
Nine Ministers, including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, will represent Ireland at various St Patrick's Day functions in the US next week, while four other Cabinet members will travel to Canada, London, Italy and Norway.
Micheál Martin and Willie O'Dea will not travel abroad.
This year the Cabinet has been told to highlight the global threat of climate change reflecting the acknowledgment in government circles that this will be a major issue in the general election. Ministers have been told to impress the need on other world leaders of "urgently acting together" to meet the challenge.
The Government said last night that in deciding on ministerial travel it sought to maximise the opportunities for showcasing Ireland as a world-class economy and tourism destination. Ministers have also been told to focus on the progress in Northern Ireland. "Strengthening and enhancing our links with Irish communities abroad is an important priority for the Government. Participation in St Patrick's Day community events is a welcome opportunity to express our appreciation for the important work of Irish community and friendship groups around the world," it said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will travel to meet US president George Bush and congressional leaders in Washington, where they will highlight the welfare of the undocumented Irish in the US.
The Taoiseach will present a bowl of shamrock to Mr Bush on March 16th and will be back in Dublin for St Patrick's Day. He will also visit New York where he will meet the recently appointed secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon.
Tánaiste Michael McDowell will be in Savannah where he will attend the St Patrick's Day parade, and business and Irish community events. Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan will be in New York to attend the Det Jerry McCabe fellowship breakfast and mayor Michael Bloomberg's morning reception.
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen flies to Chicago for the Irish-American partnership breakfast while Minister for Transport Martin Cullen will travel to San Francisco where he will attend business events arranged by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey goes to Dallas and Houston. Minister for Education Mary Hanafin will be in Boston while Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív will be the first Minister to travel to Phoenix for St Patrick's Day.
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche will be in Toronto to attend events organised by Tourism Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan goes to Rome, while Minister for Arts John O'Donoghue will go to London's.
Minister for Health Mary Harney travels to Norway, Sweden and Denmark, while chief whip Tom Kitt goes to Poland. Five ministers of State will travel to Asia. John Browne will go to China, Tim O'Malley to Japan, Frank Fahey to India, Michael Ahern to Malaysia and Singapore and Batt O'Keeffe to Vietnam.