Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today defended the amount of money being spent by Government departments to travel to various St Patrick's Day events around the world.
According to figures obtained by RTÉ under the Freedom of Information Act (FoI), last year the St Patrick's Day trips cost more than €560,000.
Mr Ahern told the Dáil this morning that the trips were beneficial in promoting Ireland for foreign investment and tourism.
The Taoiseach also confirmed that 45 locations would be visited in the days in and around St Patrick's Day.
Responding to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny about the value of the St Patrick's Day trips, Mr Ahern said that Ministers went abroad to meet businessmen and contacts and that they were not just involved in promoting their own department responsibilities.
He said ministers would get exposure to tv, radio, politicians and trade fairs and this would benefit the "country a lot".
"We look at where there's added value for this country to promote and showcase the country in a modern way. That is why, in a more difficult year, a good and fair share of foreign direct investment.
"It's why, for a country of our size, eight to nine million tourists per year," Mr Ahern told the Dáil.
Mr Kenny raised the issue after the RTÉ figures revealed that over €90,000 was spent on limousine, taxi and car hire during the various trips.
The biggest cost for a single delegation was ex-Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey's trip to the US which cost nearly €75,000 for himself, his wife and three officials. The FoI figures also revealed that Minister for Arts Seamus Brennan was housed in an apartment costing €1,650 per night during a recent trip to Italy.
Mr Ahern leaves on Sunday for Washington DC, where he will present the traditional bowl of shamrock to US president George Bush at the White House. Tánaiste Brian Cowen will travel to Malaysia while Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin will be in Italy.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey will be in Australia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will fly to Argentina while Minister for Health Mary Harney will be attending Irish-themed events in Prague.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley travels in London while Minister Education Mary Hanafin will officiate at the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York. Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche will spend St Patrick's day in China.
The only Cabinet member staying in Ireland is Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea.
A Government spokesman said yesterday the carbon footprint caused by thousands of miles of air travel by the Cabinet will be offset to protect the environment.