Cowen gets White House invitation

BARACK OBAMA last night remembered to invite Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the White House this St Patrick’s Day, hours after the American president unveiled a stunning $1.7 trillion (e1.4tn) budget deficit.

The invite means the two sons of Offaly will sit down together for the first time on March 17 when they will discuss their joint economic strife.

It came after weeks of speculation on whether the new president would continue the traditional presentation of shamrock, which began under president Ronald Reagan. Mr Cowen said he was “delighted” to accept the White House’s offer.