Hillary Clinton on her second day trade visit to Ireland

American senator Hillary Clinton was in Dublin today for top-level political and business talks in a bid to boost trade links between Ireland and the USA.

The New York State senator will meet president Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on the first day of the two-day visit.

Later, the wife of former US president Bill Clinton was meeting a delegation from Ireland’s business community before giving a keynote speech to an audience of more than 1,000 people at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce gala dinner.

A spokesman for the chamber said Mrs Clinton was travelling to Dublin with a team of around 20 businessmen and women, including members of the Atlantic Corridor organisation which promotes trade between Ireland and America.

She was later going on to Government Buildings in the centre of Dublin where she was meeting Mr Ahern.

In the afternoon Mrs Clinton was joining members of the Dublin business community, including chamber of commerce president Peter Webster, for talks on how the two nations could do better business together.

A meeting with President McAleese was then scheduled at her official residence in Phoenix Park.

The day was ending with a speech before 1,100 guests at the chamber’s gala dinner - with the Tanaiste Mary Harney on the guest list alongside Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister and SDLP leader Mark Durkan.

Mr Durkan’s SDLP predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume, was also set to attend the dinner.

The spokesman said:

‘‘The Senator is in Dublin as part of attempts to build on already strong trade links between America and Ireland.

‘‘Her schedule involves meeting both politicians and members of the business community.

‘‘Following a packed schedule on the first day of the visit, Mrs Clinton will hold a number of private engagements the following day before leaving.’’