Coughlan starts mission to Germany
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan has begun four-day visit to Germany
Sunday March 14 2010
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan has begun a four day trade, investment and promotion mission to Germany.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will visit the cities of Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich and Marburg where she aims to influence the German opinion on Ireland's strategy for economic renewal.
The trip will also involve Ms Coughlan holding talks with companies investing in Ireland and promoting Irish business, tourism and food in Germany.
A spokesman said a meeting with her German counterpart, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Rainer Bruderle, will be the first high-level meeting between the Irish and German Governments since the German federal elections last September.
Elsewhere Ms Coughlan will deliver a keynote address to business leaders at Commerzbank Headquarters in the German capital and assist Irish companies focused on providing services to the German retail industry.
The Tanaiste will then accompany the Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, at the city's annual St Patrick's Day parade.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Brian Cowen is continuing his official visit to the US which included meetings in Chicago and Silicon Valley.
He will also hold talks with President Barack Obama before presenting him with the traditional bowl of shamrock on St Patrick's Day on Wednesday.
