Leadership

Taoiseach begins St Patrick’s Day visit to US

12.03.2010
The Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD has begun his St Patrick’s Day visit to the United States today.

His trip is set to have a strong economic focus and will include a trade mission to Silicon Valley and Washington DC involving more than 75 Irish companies, in addition to meetings with leading US companies.

He will also attend a St Patrick's Day lunch on Capitol Hill, hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and will meet with US Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The Taoiseach’s US trip will culminate in summit talks and the traditional presentation of the shamrock with President Barack Obama in the White House on St Patrick's Day.

Sending a positive Irish message
“The over-riding priority for the Government over the St Patrick's Day period is to send a strong positive message about Ireland's economic future and our plan for economic recovery,” the Taoiseach said before he left.

“As a small trading nation, Ireland has unparalleled influence in the US and across the globe. We will be telling our friends and partners all over the world that we are taking action to confront our economic problems and to build a sustainable economic future for our people.

“In Chicago, in Silicon Valley and in Washington DC, I will be meeting with leading figures from the world of politics, business, science, education, culture and the media - as well as members of the Global Irish Network based in the US,” the Taoiseach said.

“My aim is to listen and learn from our friends, as well as to assure them that Ireland is taking the necessary action to bring about economic recovery.”