Kenny ‘unaware’ of ambassador’s hotel row
Mr Kenny yesterday concluded his six-day trip to the US which, he said, has strengthened ties with America.
During his visits to Washington DC, Boston and New York, progress was made on immigration reform, which would help thousands of Irish illegals, while trade and investment ties were enhanced, he said.
But his final day was somewhat overshadowed by reports of an argument between the Secretary General of his department, Martin Fraser, and the Irish Ambassador to the US, Anne Anderson, who was central to the organisation of his visit.
The discussion lasted 10 minutes, according to media reports, and took place at the lobby of Fitzpatrick’s Hotel in Manhattan — where the official delegation were staying — at around midnight, shortly after they returned to the hotel on Sunday night.
Asked yesterday if he had established the cause of the row, the Taoiseach said: “I do not know what you are talking about. I’m here on very different business. I have no interest in that kind of thing.”
Asked a second time by reporters, he said: “I have no idea what you are talking about. Every delegation that I go on, we always have healthy conversations about the issues of the day. So I just don’t know what you are talking about.”
Mr Kenny said, following the trip, the good name, credibility and “integrity” of Ireland has been restored. “It was a brilliant opportunity to update American investment on the impact of what is happening in the country, confidence being restored, we are heading in the right direction.”
But, he said, this was “tempered with the realism that we recognise the problems with mortgage distress, we recognise that while unemployment has dropped to 11.9 % it is still much too high. The level of public debt, the level of private debt. These are issues that we have to be realistic about and it is still very difficult for a great number of people”.
He said: “I think America understands that and they also fully appreciate the progress Ireland is making. That’s where you have to give credit to the people, that is fundamental.”
Mr Kenny yesterday briefed about 50 “high- level” investors in Ireland or businesses who were considering establishing links with Ireland, at an event organised by Grant Thornton in New York.
“It was important for me to be able to give a rundown on the progress made by Ireland over the last couple of years and our emphasis on the medium-term economic strategy,” he said afterwards.
The Taoiseach also held talks with people involved in negotiating the free trade agreement between the US and EU.
Mr Kenny said the deal — which has the potential to create millions of jobs — is “more imperative now given the uncertain times ahead because of the relationship between Europe and Russia and between the US and Russia arising from the situation in Crimea and Ukraine.”
