Ahern Addresses Congress

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has told the United States Congress that he is the first Irish leader to be able say that Ireland is at peace.

In an historic address, Mr Ahern paid tribute to U.S. involvement in achieving peace on the island.

He is the sixth Irish leader to address a joint session o Congress and only the fifth political leader ever to have addressed a joint sitting of both houses in Britain and the U.S.

Others who have addressed both the UK Parliament and the joint Houses of the U.S. Congress include Emperor Hail Salassie, President Charles de Gaulle, President Francois Mitterand and Nelson Mandela.

Mr Ahern began by asking the US Congress to try to find a solution and open the path to permanent residency for th undocumented Irish in America.

He implored them to address the implications and to regulate the status for illegal Irish immigrants.

Referring to the shared history of America and Ireland, h said that since the 17th and 18th century the Irish had helped to 'build America'.

He referred to the struggle for success immigrants from Ireland to America had endured and the fact that America wa always their 'destiny'.

Mr Ahern has emphasised Ireland's commitment to meet the UN target for overseas development assistance aid by 2012.

He referred to the importance of global citizenship and the role Europe and the US must play together to combat the international financial crisis, global warming and climate change and to counter terrorism.

On the Middle East peace process, he said we must succeed in international collective efforts to bring peace for the people of Israel and Palestine.

Mr Ahern said he always had faith in the Good Friday Agreement and was proud after so many decades of conflict to be the first Irish leader to tell America that "Ireland is at peace."

He thanked President Bush and all his administration for their help, and in particular Senator George Mitchell for the role he played.

He said that peace in Northern Ireland was also part of a greater American legacy thanks to the support America gave throughout the peace process.

He reminded Americans not to forget that and to "feel glad" for what role it had played.

Referring to his forthcoming trip to the site of the Battle of the Boyne, he said centuries of strife were over for good and that "our children will now live in peace."

"This is the triumph of people and politics, of democracy. The great achievement of Ireland and of democracy," he said.