Taoiseach meets Obama for first time

The Taoiseach is meeting the US President in the White House today.

Brian Cowen has been invited to Washington to celebrate St Patrick's Day with President Obama.

It's the first time the two men have met.

The Taoiseach will spend several hours in the company of the US President today - time he says he'll use to strengthen the bonds between the two countries.

The two men will hold a bilateral meeting in the White House - something that Brian Cowen has described as a great honour and a great opportunity.

The meeting will be followed by a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room - during which Brian Cowen will present President Obama with the traditional bowl of shamrock for St Patrick’s Day.

He's also to give him a copy of the baptismal records of the President's Offaly ancestor and a photo of the church where he was baptised.