Declan Kelly Appointed As Economic Envoy To The North

US Secretary of State Hillery Clinton has announced that 41-year-old Declan Kelly will be the US' Economic Envoy to the North. Mr Kelly was born in Portroe, Co. Tipperary, and advised Mrs Clinton during her campaign for the presidency.

He is expected to visit Belfast on Monday when he will meet business leaders. He will accompany the new US ambassador in London Louis Susman, US State Department sources confirmed.

The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D., welcomed the appointment of Mr Declan Kelly saying: "I am delighted that the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has appointed Declan Kelly as economic envoy to Northern Ireland.

"The appointment is another clear signal of the continuing commitment of the United States to the peace process and to building prosperity throughout the island of Ireland.

"Declan has a wealth of business experience in the United States and internationally, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities we have here at home in Ireland. I have valued his advice in recent years and I know that he will bring passion, optimism and ambition to his new role.

"The Government looks forward to working with him as we continue to build on the peace process and to develop a successful island economy in a globalised world."