Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his official visit to the United States over the St. Patrick's holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13098/06]

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his meetings over the St. Patrick's Day period with members of the US Administration; the topics of such discussions as he and his staff held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13120/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 140 together.

I travelled to the United States from 11 to 17 March to represent the Government at promotional events in Dallas before attending the customary St. Patrick's Day ceremonies in Washington.

On 17 March, I accompanied the Taoiseach to the White House for the traditional presentation of shamrock, followed by a meeting with President Bush in the Oval Office. Our discussions with the President covered Northern Ireland, immigration reform and other issues including international issues. The Taoiseach and I also had a series of valuable meetings with key members of Congress including Senators Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Kennedy, Leahy and McCain. We also met with Congressman Jim Walsh and members of the Friends of Ireland group in Congress. The focus of these meetings was on Northern Ireland and immigration reform. This special opportunity, unique to Ireland, for direct and detailed dialogue with the President of the United States and his Administration and also key players on Capitol Hill is exceptionally valued by the Government.

My programme also included attendance at the American-Ireland Fund national gala dinner, the lunch hosted by Speaker Hastert, and the ambassador's St. Patrick's Day reception. In addition, the Taoiseach and I had a very valuable meeting on immigration reform with Niall O'Dowd and Grant Lally of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. I accompanied the Taoiseach to a meeting with the Ireland-America economic advisory board. Discussions with the board focused on the successes of the Irish economy, business prospects in the US and developments in Northern Ireland.

In Dallas, my programme included attendance at the Irish-American Society dinner, the downtown parade and a breakfast hosted by the American-Ireland Fund. I also had a briefing session with the editorial board of the Dallas Morning News and addressed a lunch hosted by the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. My address to the business lunch focused on the success of the Irish economy, highlighting the theme of the Irish advantage, which was also articulated by the Taoiseach and Ministers at a wide variety of events throughout the world over the St. Patrick's Day period. The importance of the Irish-American relationship, the peace process and immigration reform also featured in my remarks and discussions in Dallas.