Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has defended a nearly £40,000 St Patrick’s Day trip to the United States, describing it as a worthwhile investment in promoting the region abroad. The visit, which included travel to Washington and New York, involved meetings, events on Capitol Hill and participation in the St Patrick’s Day parade, with a focus on highlighting historic links between Northern Ireland and the United States.

The total cost of £39,727 covered flights, accommodation, event hosting, advertising, catering, entertainment and promotional materials. Lyons said the trip helped showcase the Ulster-American connection to a media audience of millions and secured loaned materials from the Library of Congress for use by the Public Record Office.

The visit was boycotted by Sinn Fein ministers in protest at United States government policy on Gaza. Sinn Fein assembly member Cathy Mason questioned the value for money at a time of financial hardship, asking for details on projected returns.

Lyons responded that business cases had been completed and argued that arts and culture funding should not be cut despite budget pressures. He said promoting tourism and international awareness of Northern Ireland would bring long term benefits and remained an important investment.