The Government has released details of the annual overseas exodus of ministers and junior ministers for St Patrick's Day.
A total of nine ministers, including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, and one junior minister will travel to the United States to attend events marking the country's national day, while other members of the Government will attend events in far flung parts of the world including Argentina, Vietnam and China.
In a statement last night, the Government said ministers would highlight the global threat of climate change and promote Ireland.
"In deciding on Ministerial travel commitments for St Patrick's Day, the Government has sought to maximise opportunities for showcasing Ireland as a world class economy and tourism destination," the statement said.
"Ministers will also focus on the progress in the Northern Ireland peace process," it added.
Bertie Ahern and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will travel to Washington, where they will meet President George W Bush and Congressional leaders.
Before travelling to Washington, the Taoiseach will travel to New York, where he will meet the recently appointed Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon. He will also meet with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, leaders in the financial services community and visit the Twin Towers Memorial Centre.
Other ministers travelling to the US on March 17th are: Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell (Savannah); Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan (New York); Minister for Finance Brian Cowen (Chicago); Minister for Transport Martin Cullen (San Francisco); Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey (Dallas and Houston); Minster for Education Mary Hanafin (Boston); Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív (Phoenix); and Minister or State Pat the Cope Gallagher (Atlanta and Philadelphia).
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche will visit Toronto whileMinister for Arts Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue will travel to London.
Other Government members travelling to Britain include Minister of State Brendan Smith (Manchester); Minister of State Seán Power (Birmingham) and Minister of State Conor Lenihan (Edinburgh).
Minister of State Mary Wallace will represent the Government in the Austrian capital Vienna while Minister of State Brian Lenihan will visit Paris.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan will visit Italy and the Holy See, while Minister for Health Mary Harney will visit Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Chief Whip Tom Kitt will be in Warsaw, while Minister of State Noel Ahern visit Bucharest, and Minister of State Seán Haughey will represent the Government in Moscow.
Minister of State John Browne will visit Hong Kong, Shenyang, Shanghai and Beijing over the St Patrick's Day period; Minister of State Tim O'Malley will represent the Government in Tokyo and Osaka; while Minister of State Frank Fahey will visit India.
Other Ministers of State travelling abroad for St Patrick's Day include Michael Ahern (Kuala Lumpur and Singapore); Batt O'Keeffe (Vietnam) and Tom Parlon (South Africa). Attorney General Rory Brady will be in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ministers Micheál Martin and Willie O'Dea will stay at home on March 17th.
