McEntee, Byrne to visit Australia, France for St Patrick's Day

Minister for Education Helen McEntee will travel to Australia for St Patrick's Day this year while Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne will visit France for the annual celebration.

Along with Taoiseach, Micheál Martin and Tánaiste, Simon Harris they are among 38 State representatives who will visit more than 90 cities in 40 countries for St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Among those travelling to the US this year are ....Taoiseach who will visit Texas and Washington DC, the Tánaiste who is travelling to-Philadelphia and New York and Minister, Darragh O'Brien who is bound for Miami and Los Angeles.

Others traveling to the US are Ministers, Peter Burke , Dara Calleary, Patrick O'Donovan , Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Alan Dillon and Attorney General, Rossa Fanning

As things stand, there has been no confirmation from the White House of the Taoiseach's traditional visit.

However, Government figures insist this is not irregular as the engagement is typically finalised close to 17th March.

During the trips, the Government will emphasise that Ireland is a small, open economy with its economic success rooted in its willingness to build partnerships.

Ministers will highlight Irish investment overseas and the success of companies that have chosen Ireland as their base in Europe.

Mr Martin said that he fully expects to meet US President Donald Trump.

He said it is important the visits are maintained "no matter who is the US President".