Details have been released on where Government ministers including the Taoiseach will visit on St Patrick's Day.
A total of 38 representatives will visit 86 cities in 48 countries as part of the St Patrick's Day programme.
As well as visiting Washington DC and the White House, Leo Varadkar will also travel to Boston.
Mícheál Martin will visit three cities in Canada – Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto.
Minister for Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan will travel to Brazil, while Minister for Finance Michael McGrath will visit China and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe will go to France and Bulgaria.
The destinations of other cabinet ministers include:
- Minister for Justice Helen McEntee: US – New York
- Minister for Tourism Culture, Arts, Sport and the Media Catherine Martin: US – Nashville, Austin
- Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: Australia
- Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney: India, Bangladesh
- Minister for Education Norma Foley: UK
- Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman: Japan
- Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris: UK – London
- Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue: Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan
- Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys: US Chicago, Madison, Springfield
- Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien: South Africa, Zambia
- Government Chief Whip Hildergarde Naughten: Singapore
A further 19 Ministers of State will travel, as will the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Jerry Buttimer and the Attorney General Ross Fanning.
There has been pressure on the Government to boycott this year's visit to the White House because of the US government’s support for Israel during the Gaza conflict.
But on his way into this week's cabinet meeting the Taoiseach said he would not pass up the opportunity to share the views of the Irish people on the war in Gaza with the US president.
The Department of Foreign Affiars said representatives will emphasise Ireland's commitment to peace and security.
In a statement it said other key messages will be the strength of the Irish economy, the country's active membership of the EU, the priority attached to climate action and commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
The central theme of the programme will be Ireland’s Future in the World – with a focus on the contribution of young Irish people across the globe in the areas of business, innovation, creativity, community development and academia.
