New Irish Prime Minister set for White House on St. Pat’s Day

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New Irish leader Enda Kenny will be guest of honor at a St. Patrick’s Party at the White House with President Obama, it has been confirmed.

Kenny will also attend the American Ireland Fund dinner in Washington on March 16 and may well stop off in New York on his way to D.C.

However, further arrangements for new government travel over the St. Patrick’s period will not be known until the rest of the Irish Cabinet is named.

Ministers are due to fly to various destinations, but no arrangements have been made. The Department of Foreign Affairs, according to the “Irish Independent,” has received suggested itineraries from embassies worldwide. Currently visits to Washington and London seem most likely.

Officials told the “Irish Independent” that countries with large Irish communities were a priority for travel.

In 2010 Brian Cowen's trip to the White House cost Ireland $250,000. The former Minister for Health Mary Harney and former Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe spent $47,271 and $41,710, on trips to New Zealand, and Japan and Korea.

Details of this year's trips abroad will be revealed later this week.

Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section