Taoiseach to begin annual Washington DC visit today

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to depart today on his annual St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington DC.

Mr Ahern will attend a gala dinner tonight hosted by the International Fund for Ireland before meeting US President George W Bush at the White House tomorrow.

The two men are expected to discuss the Irish peace process and the upcoming US-EU summit, which is due to be held in Ireland in June.

Mr Ahern will then travel to the Canadian city of Ottawa on Thursday in his role as president of the EU Council of Ministers before returning to Ireland on Friday.