McGuinness and Robinson to meet Obama

The North’s first and deputy first ministers will meet US president Barack Obama during the St Patrick‘s Day celebrations in Washington today.

Secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden are also on the schedule at the end of a trip delayed by political violence.

First minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness have been advocating Northern Ireland business opportunities and urging more investment during visits to corporations like Allstate Insurance.

They met industry chiefs and decision makers in Chicago, California, New York and Washington DC after an upsurge in dissident republican violence and amid an economic slump. Last week two soldiers and a policeman were shot dead by those opposed to the peace process.

Today, the ministers will host a breakfast at the Northern Ireland Bureau involving political and business leaders like Senator Chris Dodd.

Later they visit the National Security Council where they are expected to meet Mr Obama, then attend a speaker‘s lunch on Capitol Hill including senators and congressmen.

They hold a meeting in the State Department with Mrs Clinton then continue to a White House reception in the evening where the president and his deputy are expected to welcome them.