Taoiseach to address joint meeting of US Congress

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is to make a historic address to a joint meeting of the United States Congress sometime in early 2008, it emerged yesterday.

Mr Ahern’s spokesman said last night that the Taoiseach was deeply honoured, privileged and “humbled” to have been accorded the honour.

The spokesman said it reflected both the huge role that the US had played in the peace process in addition to a recognition of Mr Ahern’s role in the historic peace deal and forging strong links of friendship with the United States.

To date, foreign dignitaries of 48 countries have addressed the joint houses, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

They included Ireland’s longest serving Taoiseach Eamon de Valera who addressed the joint Houses in 1964, after he became President.

Mr Ahern’s address follows his address at the joint Houses of Parliament in Westminster earlier this year.

The invitation was extended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

It follows a period of high-level contact on the issues.

The address is expected to take place in the spring but may not take place around St Patrick’s Day, the time when Mr Ahern travels to Washington for the annual shamrock bowl ceremony.

Last night, his spokesman said that the timing would be very much in the gift of the US administration.

The invitation was announced during a function for Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness.

Congressman Richard Neal revealed that he had initially made the request.

“I made that request of Speaker Pelosi about four months ago and I’m delighted she came to the lunch today and announced it,” Mr Neal said.

Mr McGuinness also expressed is delight.

“I think the Taoiseach and indeed the people of Ireland will regard as a great honour this invitation,” he said.

Meanwhile, speculation was rife last night that the Government may defer its controversial salary hike ahead of crucial national pay talks in the New Year.

The statutory instrument giving effect to the pay hikes of €38,000 for the Taoiseach and €25,000 for ministers had not yet been signed, a Government spokesman confirmed.

However, he insisted that the delay was not unusual given the amount of business being processed by cabinet in advance of the Budget.