State Papers: EU rules nearly blocked arrival of Clinton Christmas tree to Belfast

Then US President Bill Clinton turning on the Christmas lights at Belfast City Hall. File Picture: Martin McCullough/PA Wire

The historic visit of Bill Clinton to Northern Ireland in 1995 was nearly overshadowed by EU red tape, new documents reveal.

A communique between Irish officials in the days leading up to visit of the US president reveals that EU rules on plant health threatened to prevent the gifting of a 60ft Christmas tree to Belfast from sister city Nashville.