A local Minister says it's a huge honour to be asked to represent your country abroad on St Patrick's Day. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin will visit Belgium and the Netherlands this year. She said the two countries were in the top five when it came to trade with Ireland and she was looking forward to the visit.
The Sligo-Leitrim Minister says it would have a busy weekend attending trade events over the St Patrick's weekend in a bid to boost economic ties. She described the St Patrick's Day visits as a unique opportunity to put Brand Ireland front and centre:
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