Hi °C | Lo °C Finance Minister Michael Noonan will be staying at home to mind the country as 20 ministers head off for St Patrick's Day, writes Fionnan Sheahan.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore will both be in the US, along with four other ministers.
Mr Gilmore said the Coalition was taking advantage of the great opportunity to promote Ireland around the national festival.
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said they would be keeping costs low. "We are keeping the size of the delegations down to a minimum. We are not flying first class or anything like that," he said.
Meanwhile, the North's First Minister Peter Robinson has been accused of planning to snub St Patrick's Day celebrations in Brazil. The Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro will go green for the first time to mark the day but the DUP leader is expected to leave his deputy Martin McGuinness to attend the official ceremony alone.
Miriam Donohoe
Irish Independent
