Ahern to address both houses of US Congress

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to be invited to address both Houses of the United States Congress, it emerged tonight.

During a lunch in the US Congress for the North's First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed that Mr Ahern is to be honoured with an address to Senators and Congressmen.

And it was also proposed by Republican Congressman Jim Walsh that formal links should also be established between the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Congress.

Ms Pelosi, who is the third most important political leader in the United States, made a surprise visit to the lunch which was hosted by the Friends Of Ireland group.

Congressman Richie Neal welcomed the invitation confirming that he had made the request over four months ago.