A Sligo/ Leitrim TD and Junior Minister says overseas visits as part of St Patrick's Day events are far from junkets for Government representatives.

Minister of State Frank Feighan was responding to the news that no fewer than 50 cities around the world would be afforded visits from government officials during the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

His constituency colleague, Junior Minister Marian Harkin, will visit France and Monaco.

While Donegal based Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue will travel to Thailand and Vietnam.

Minister Feighan will travel to Singapore and the Philippines.  He says these trade missions involve difficult and important work: