Ireland Hung Over On St. Patrick’s Day

When the government tells us we should be tightening our belts reducing our spending and not to be seen within ear shot of a Champagne bottle being corked you’d think they would take a leaf out of their own book but No our politicians are off on there travels again this year.
It seems they have to be anywhere but Ireland on the most holy of days in the Irish calendar Paddy’s day. I think they would serve us better if they stayed at home this year. Who wants to see their ugly mugs (sorry Brian and Micheal). If it is an effort to sell the country to other nations would we not be better off sending our celebraties. I’m sure Bono would do a good job selling Ireland.

With up to 25 ministers on the move this year one wonders who will be left running the country while the rest head off to fly the flag for our floundering economy - John Gormley !!!
We are led to believe that this mass exodus is being done on a shoestring budget but we are not told how many will be in this years entourage.

In 2008(a year of deep recession) the exodus cost the tax payer over €523000 that’s according to information obtained through the freedom of information act. The report says this figure could be bigger as the price doesn’t include the use of the government jet which some ministers took advantage of.
So why the change in policy - this year ministers are being sent to every corner of the world that has a St. Patricks day celebration but told not to use First Class or Limos where possible.

2008s’ bill covered limousine hire, VIP airport lounges, five-star hotels, first-class and business-class flights, drinks receptions and fine dining.
One wonders are all these trips necessary? Dose the country gain anything out of these junkets?
Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan is due to travel to Berlin for Paddy’s Day – can anyone tell me if she will be flying Ryan air or Aer lingus.
All this talk of Junkets has a song running through my head: Bob Marley - Exodus