Bertie Visiting New York & Washington

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D., is set topresent a bowl of shamrocks to U.S. President George Bush in the traditional St. Patrick's Day festival at the White House on Friday.

Mr. Ahern embarks on a three-day visit tomorrow, with his first stop in New York where he will meet New York's Junior Senator Hillary Clinton and new U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

While in New York, the Taoiseach has a heavy schedule planned, starting with a breakfast meeting with the representatives from Wall Street.

He is also scheduled to hold talks with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and will address the Council on Foreign Relations.

Later in the day he is expected to visit the World Trade Center Memorial.

After his brief New York visit, the Taoiseach will travel to Washington, D.C. where he is scheduled to meet Senator Clinton and the Friends of Ireland Group in Congress.

During his visit, Mr. Ahern will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern

On Friday morning, Mr. Ahern will take part in the traditional Shamrock Ceremony in the White House.

A spokesman for the White House said that "Mr Ahern and President Bush will meet in the Oval Office for exchanges on Northern Ireland, immigration reform and a range of current international issues, including climate change."

Over the next week, over 27 government ministers from Ireland will be travelling abroad to attend St Patrick's Day events around the world.

Tánaiste Michael McDowell will represent the Irish Government in Georgia where he will attend the St Patrick's Day parade - the fourth largest St. Patrick's Day in the United