As part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day Promote Ireland Programme, Minister Howlin visited Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing from Tuesday 11 through Wednesday 19 March, 2014. During the visit the Minister took every opportunity to advance Ireland’s political, trade, investment, tourism and cultural priorities in China, participating in over 25 engagements in the 3 cities over the 8 day period.
The Dáil and Seanad return this week with the Government Meeting taking place, tomorrow.
On Wednesday, Minister Howlin, with Minister Hayes, will meet with a delegation from the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament. The Committee on Regional Development is responsible for regional and cohesion policy, in particular for the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the other instruments of the Union’s regional policy
On Thursday 27th March, the Minster will deliver the Keynote speech “Freedom of Information on the Context of Government’s Programme for Political Reform in Ireland” at a Public Affairs Ireland Conference on Freedom of Information in Ireland. The Conference will address the current operation of FOI in Ireland and examine the impact of pending changes once the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 is enacted.
Minister Howlin is scheduled to meet with a Chinese Government delegation visiting Ireland this week.
The Department has a number of written Parliamentary Questions tabled on a variety of issues, ranging from, progress on lobbying legislation; extension on the public sector retirement deadline of August 2014; update on Action Plan for Jobs; and procurement for state contracts.

