Dáil ministers will visit every single EU capital this St Patrick’s day as the Government ups its diplomatic offensive in the days before Brexit.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney this evening announced the programme of international events for the St Patrick’s Day period.

The charm offensive will see ministers attempting to sell Ireland’s place in a world where the UK is no longer part of the EU.

All 27 EU capitals will be visited with some ministers attending new diplomatic missions that have recently been set up recently under the ‘Global Ireland’ initiative

Minister Coveney said St Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to “promote Ireland as a great place to live, visit, study, work and do business.”

“This year’s St Patrick’s Day programme will serve as a platform to underline Ireland’s commitment to and membership of the European Union,” he said.

“The 2019 programme also reflects Ireland’s expanding diplomatic and state agency presence around the world, as part of the Global Ireland initiative. 

£Ministers will visit Wellington and Vancouver, where Ireland opened new diplomatic missions in 2018.  

£Bogota, Santiago, Mumbai, and Los Angeles will also receive a Ministerial visit over St Patrick’s Day in advance of the opening of new Irish Embassies and Consulates there later this year.”

He said the Government also looks forward 2 to the greening of many iconic landmarks around the world in celebration of St Patrick’s Day, as part of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative, which celebrates its tenth year in 2019.”

• The Taoiseach will visit Washington and Donald Trump - his second time meeting the US President.
• The Tánaiste will take a diplomatic tour - visiting Paris, Berlin, Brussels and The Hague.
• Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has been given the task of representing Ireland in London
• Health Minister Simon Harris will take in the west coast of America with visits to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
• Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will visit New York.
• Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy will also be in the Americas – embarking on a tour to Argentina and Chile.
• Education Minister Joe McHugh will visit China.
• Culture Minister Josepha Madigan will take in Japan and South Korea.

Minister Coveney said the trips will also be used to discuss Ireland's economy, commitment to the North and its campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council.