The Minister for Agriculture is jetting off to Spain and Portugal for St Patrick’s Day this year.

He will be accompanied by Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy.The focus of the five-day trip will be beef, livestock and seafood.

They will be meeting importers including Grupo Mozos and Claramar in Spain, Portuguese retailer Pingo Doce, and Spanish retailer Mercadona. They will also participate at the St Patrick’s Day trade reception at the Irish embassy in Madrid.

There has been a slight change to his itinerary – he will be going to Brussels on Monday for a council of ministers meeting.

Bord Bia has over 100 events planned in connection with St Patrick’s Day festivities around the world and is the main sponsor for the Mayor of London St Patrick’s Day parade, 12 days out from the Brexit deadline of 29 March.