Congressmen to meet Irish leaders

A delegation of US congressmen will hold talks with the President, Taoiseach and Tánaiste today as part of a week-long Irish visit.

The trip will be lead by Democrat Congressman Richie Neal, chair of the Friends of Ireland group which promotes Irish interests in the US Houses of Representatives.

Issues expected to be discussed include the North, the undocumented in America and the global financial crisis.

Tomorrow Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue and Congressman Neal will co-chair bi-lateral talks between the Friends of Ireland Delegation and cross party Dáil representatives.

An Oireachtas spokesman said: “During their visit the delegation will meet with key political leaders and examine issues such as the International Fund for Ireland, the case of the undocumented Irish in the US, the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, Ireland-US relations and the World Financial Crisis.”

Brief meetings will also be held tomorrow with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party chief Eamon Gilmore.

The US delegation was invited by the Ceann Comhairle.

The delegation will be made up of eight Congressmen – seven Democrats and one Republican.