Peace process to dominate Taoiseach’s US visit

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is today beginning a US visit, set to be dominated by the Northern peace process, with a stop-over in Silicon Valley boomtown San Jose which he twinned with Dublin when lord mayor 20 years ago.

Mr Ahern will spend one night in the Californian hi-tech capital before flying to Washington DC for a hectic round of meetings with congressional leaders. The annual presentation of shamrock to President George W Bush will then take place in the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

Stong trade links between Silicon Valley and Ireland’s technology sector will be at the forefront of the San Jose leg of the trip.