Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has decided to cut short his St Patrick’s Day visit to the US.

Mr Kenny’s two-day programme of events has now been shortened to one day. He is said to be eager to return home to be available for potential discussions around the formation of a new government.

The Taoiseach will only attend the events in the White House on Tuesday, March 15th, before travelling back to Ireland.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan will replace him at events on Wednesday.

The decision means the Taoiseach will not be present at the American Ireland Fund dinner, which has traditionally been a key part of the St Patrick’s Day programme.

Fine Gael Ministers say they were made aware of the decision at a meeting on Wednesday.

In a statement the White House press secretary confirmed president Barack Obama would meet Mr Kenny on Tuesday.

“The United States and Ireland enjoy a strong relationship; deep cultural, historic, and people-to-people bonds; and a shared commitment to advancing global peace, security, and prosperity,” he said.

“In the morning, the Vice President will host the Taoiseach for breakfast at the Naval Observatory, and the President and Vice President will meet with the Taoiseach in the Oval Office.

“That afternoon, the President will host a reception to celebrate his eighth St. Patrick’s Day at the White House.”

Stormont House

Vice President Joe Biden will also meet with First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Northern Ireland at the White House to discuss the Stormont House agreement.

Eight other Government Ministers are to travel abroad for St Patrick’s Day: Joan Burton, Alan Kelly and Brendan Howlin from Labour, and Frances Fitzgerald, Richard Bruton, Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys and Paul Kehoe from Fine Gael.

Mr Flanagan said it was crucial Ministers still availed of the unique opportunity to promote Ireland. “The 2016 programme is, however, significantly reduced from that delivered in 2015.

“It will focus on trade, investment and tourism promotion in a smaller number of destinations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

“In each location, ministers will undertake a number of meetings with political figures and support Irish community and trade events organised by the embassy network, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia and Science Foundation Ireland.”

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney will not travel.

Mr Kenny, Ms Burton and 27 other senior and junior ministers last year went abroad over St Patrick’s week.

Where are the Cabinet members going?

Acting taoiseach, Enda Kenny: USA (Washington DC)

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton: Italy (Rome, Milan)

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan: USA (New York, Washington DC)

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald: UK (London)

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton: France (Paris)

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin: India

Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys: USA (Boston)

Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe: Spain (Madrid)

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly: USA (Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego,)

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State Paul Kehoe: USA (Philadelphia, Albany, Trenton, Savannah)