London's mayor in Dublin talks

The Mayor of London was due in Dublin later today for meetings in advance of Ireland’s presidency of the EU.

The Rt Hon Alderman Robert Finch will spend two nights in the capital, where he will be a guest of British Ambassador Stewart Eldon.

The Mayor is expected to address the Dublin Chamber of Commerce where he will speak on “The future of the City of London as a global centre for international financial services”.

In the next 12 months he will visit all but one of the 10 accession countries to the EU as part of London’s efforts to forge closer links for financial services across Europe.

A spokesman for Mr Finch said he was putting Dublin at the top of his agenda.

“This is a pioneering visit. The spotlight is going to be on Dublin next year and the Lord Mayor wants to outline the important role it will play,” he said.

Tomorrow Mr Finch, an international property lawyer, will also meet Deirdre Heney, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin.