Waterford TD and Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, will not travel abroad for this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations.
An exodus for March 17th will see 36 representatives of the State travel to 74 cities in 44 different countries.
However, in addition to Helen McEntee who is on maternity leave, Fianna Fail's Mary Butler is the only other minister who won't be travelling.
"This year, I took the decision myself not to travel abroad," the Junior Minister told WLR News today.
"I had a bad dose of Covid over Christmas - I was positive for 13 days and as a result, I'm still trying to build up my energy levels.
"Obviously, there always has to be some ministers who stay behind, so I actually volunteered this year myself to be one of the ministers who would stay at home during this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations."
The theme of this year's trips is centred around 100 years of Ireland in the world and they will largely focus on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
There has been some criticism of the trips, with some labeling them as little more than a junket.
However, Minister Butler, who travelled to Belgium last year, believes they are very important from an economic perspective.
She also believes it is vital for tourism "that we sell Ireland abroad, all over the world - be it Europe, America, or Australia.
"We are so dependent on foreign-direct investment, we're dependent on tourists coming into our country, and it's a great opportunity for us as ministers and ambassadors.
"You're not only selling your country, you're also selling your county."
For all your Waterford news and sport, click here.
