Weir slams 27 st patricks day ministerial trips abroad

A FORMER elected member of the Fine Gael party in Mayo has slammed the government’s decision to send 27 senior and junior ministers abroad for St. Patrick’s Day.

Independent Councillor Seamus Weir, who resigned from the party before last year’s local elections in protest at plans to run overhead electricty cables through rural communities in the county, said the expenditure in the travel and associated costs is ‘unacceptable six years into austerity’.

The Knockmore-based representative hit out: “While I realise it is traditional government policy to celebrate the Irish diaspora in numerous cities throughout the world on March 17 every year, the timing is all wrong due to the massive government debt and the fact so much was paid out to Irish Water in respect of consultancy fees.

“It shows little appreciation for the suffering being endured by families throughout the country, particularly those who have lost medical cards and other entitlements. It sends out the wrong message completely and the public is not happy with it.

“People realise we have to extend a hand of welcome to our emigrants, the majority of whom were forced to leave these shores due to the fact they could not find employment during the recession.  But our exiles would be the first to admit that the money spent on these St. Patrick’s Day trips would be better used helping those in need.

“We had a recent example where a family living in Bonniconlon had to fight a long battle to win warranted entitlements in respect of one of their children. It was simply not good enough. The least our government can do is look after the most vulnerable in society, and particularly so in recessionary times.”          

Councillor Weir made his comments after the government announced the trips are part of their St. Patrick’s Day ‘Promote Ireland’ programme. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Joan Burton and 27 ministers are travelling abroad for political and trade meetings in 27 countries over the St. Patrick’s Day festival. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan is the only minister who will not be travelling.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is making his usual visit to Washington DC where he will meet US President Barack Obama. He is also expected to visit two other cities during his time in the US, although exact details of those trips have yet to be officially announced.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan revealed ministerial trade trips over the St. Patrick’s Day festival last year had cost €300,000. He said there had been an immediate gain of €5 million as a result of the trips.

Minister Flanagan said that he expects the costs this year to be similar and added that each minister and minister of state would report back on progress made during the trip in terms of business to the Taoiseach.