There'll be no one in government next week. They'll all be in America, the lot of them. Too many tourists in Dublin, and who wants to deal with the congestion?
As usual, the Taoiseach will visit Washington and give over the traditional bowl of weeds. Shamrocks are lovely, yes, but they're weeds nonetheless. The Tanaiste will travel to Savannah, Georgia, which is a beautiful, historic city that boasts of rather fine weather this time of year. Far nicer than New York, at any rate, although not as cozy and warm as Phoenix, where Eamon O Cuiv will be representing the Emerald Isle. He's the man in charge of all things Irish, so he'll be able to offer up a speech sprinkled liberally with the native tongue. Don't speak it myself, but it's almost hypnotic in its smooth lilt.
Those cities are all fine places for a short holiday, but where will the Minister for Finance go? Not to some sunny locale with sandy beaches. Mr. Brian Cowen is going to Chicago.
He may notice the bright green river, he may be accorded a place of honor in the big parade of politicians that marches smartly down State Street on St. Patrick's Day. The point of his visit is not to be a well-positioned tourist. Chicago is a city that was founded to do business, a central hub that exists to this day to make money. There's more than Wall Street when it comes to generating investments and creating jobs in Ireland. Chicago is home to dozens of major corporations, all of whom will be wooed to invest in Ireland.
Brian Cowen will savor the thick and juicy steaks served up at Gibson's. He'll enjoy the generous slabs of Eli's cheesecake and trade bon mots with the movers and shakers. In between bites, however, he'll be working, to keep the Celtic Tiger purring.
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