Special correspondent Ronan Collins reports:
"The Irish Government goes worldwide in St Pat's celebrations. Details of the annual St Patrick's Day exodus of Irish politicians have been announced. The trips by Irish politicians to Irish communities around the world are welcomed by the Diaspora, although Opposition politicians annually use the trips as an opportunity to criticise the Government.
The Taoiseach will promote Ireland's "knowledge economy" in San Jose, California before venturing on to meet the US president in Washington, D.C. Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern will visit Dallas and then join the Taoiseach at the White House. Transport Minister Martin Cullen will be at the New York parade, while Social, Community and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan will meet Boston's Irish community, and Communications Minister Noel Dempsey will enjoy the festivities in Seattle. Others will attend festivities in Chicago, Savannah, Philadephia, New Orleans, San Francisco, St Louis and Atlanta.
Beyond the US, Minister of State Sile de Valera will be at the day's events in Toronto. Justice Minister Michael McDowell will attend the festivities in London, while Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue will enjoy the Mancester scene and Minister of State Sean Power attends Birmingham's parade. Other Ministers of State will be in Vienna, Belgium, Paris, Italy, Sweden and Norway, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia. Farther afield will be those attending events in China, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and South Africa."
Ronan rightly asks: What did Savannah, GA or St. Louis ever do to deserve a visit from an Irish Government representative. Why not Kansas City? What do we have to do to get ourselves on the map? Should the Parade Committee be sending invitations to Dail Eireann?"
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