Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 16, inclusive, together.

I spoke on the phone with President-elect Obama on 18 November and congratulated him on his election success. I took the opportunity to stress the importance the Government attaches to Ireland's relationship with the United States. He expressed his desire that the relationship would continue to flourish in the coming years.

I commented on my visit to New York last summer. Ours is a mature two-way relationship and I fully expect it to further develop on that basis. I briefed the President-elect on the positive political developments in Northern Ireland with the resumption of meetings of the Northern Ireland Executive. I took the opportunity to personally invite him to Ireland. I also wrote to him on 20 January to convey my best wishes on his inauguration.

I expect to visit the United States in March for St. Patrick's Day. While the programme for my visit has not yet been finalised, I would expect to meet with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. My Department maintains contact with the board primarily through the Irish Embassy in Washington, as well as through visits and meetings.

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