It was confirmed earlier this week that 16 of Ireland’s ministers will be heading abroad for St. Patrick’s Day to promote the message that “Now is the time to invest in Ireland’s recovery.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he sees St. Patrick’s Day as a “unique global opportunity” to bring the message that “now is the time for Ireland’s recovery” to the attention of “key global markets and to Ireland’s many friends around the world.”

In a five-day visit to the U.S., Kenny will meet Mayor Rahn Emmanuel and other political leaders in Chicago while also participating in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Kenny will also address students at the University of the Notre Dame and meet with business leaders at the New York Stock Exchange during his visit.

Afterwards, he will make his way to Washington to meet President Barack Obama at the White House on 20 March to present him with a traditional bowl of shamrock and attend the Speaker’s Lunch on Capitol Hill,

The Taoiseach will also visit Seattle and Silicon Valley while Transport Minister Leo Varadkar travels to Japan, Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald goes to India and Environment Minister Phil Hogan sets off for Boston and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to Chicago. Communications and Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte, will go to New York and the Tanaiste to Washington with Paul Kehoe heading to Australia.