St Patrick's Day is three weeks away, but Government ministers are already preparing to pack their bags, as the celebrations in many foreign parts are taking place early in the month. Practically the whole Cabinet will be abroad at some stage, boosting Ireland's image at a time when they are assured of being centre-stage.
Bertie Ahern is going to East Timor, Australia and then the White House; Mary Harney will be in Atlanta and then in Britain; Brian Cowen is going to New York and Washington; Michael Woods will be in New York also; Dermot Ahern goes to South Africa and John O'Donoghue to Argentina. Meanwhile, James McDaid goes to Paris after he reviews the parade in Dublin; Sile de Valera - who is in Los Angeles this week - is going to New Orleans; Frank Fahey will be in San Francisco; Noel Dempsey in Savannah; Mary O'Rourke in London, Michael Smith goes to Munich first and then visits the troops in Lebanon and Syria; and AG Michael McDowell is going to the Philippines and New Zealand. As usual, Charlie McCreevy will be at Cheltenham.
The junior ministers will also be flying the flag. Seamus Brennan is off to Canada, Eamon O Cuiv to Chicago, Bobby Molloy to Tokyo and then Houston, Martin Cullen goes to Boston, Noel Davern to Los Angeles, Joe Jacob to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Liz O'Donnell to Hong Kong and then Australia and Eoin Ryan to London.
Others representing the Government abroad include former ministers David Andrews who is going to Australia and Michael O'Kennedy, who is off to San Antonio.