Robinson And McGuinness Meet Obama In White House

Northern First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness met with US President Barrack Obama at the White House in Washington DC on St. Patrick's Day.

During the course of their meeting the Ministers briefed the President on recent political developments including the Assembly resolution to transfer policing and justice powers, and thanked him for his support particularly in recent months.

They also discussed the US Administration's continued efforts to secure further US investment in the North.

Mr Robinson said: "[The] meeting with the President reaffirms once again the commitment of the US Administration to Northern Ireland.

"The President outlined his support for the transfer of policing and justice powers and discussed his government's continued involvement in the economic development of Northern Ireland.

"We also reiterated our determination not to be deterred from building a peaceful and prosperous society.

"The stability we are building undermines dissident activity. That stands whether we are talking about political dissidents or paramilitary dissidents.

"A stable, peaceful and prosperous society is the antithesis of everything these people stand for.

"The hope that a better and brighter future brings to the people of Northern Ireland strikes fear into the hearts of those who would seek to drag us back to the bad old days of the past.

"We are collectively and unalterably determined that there will be no going back."

Mr McGuinness said: "The Obama administration has always provided us with its full backing as we worked towards building a stable political foundation in the North of Ireland and on that foundation we intend to fashion further economic and social progress.

"The Hillsborough Agreement provided us with an opportunity for a new start.

"The creation of jobs and the underpinning of the peace process are intertwined and it is vital that we focus our efforts to ensure no community is left behind and all benefit from the prosperity that we are striving to create for all our people.

"We welcome the plans for the Economic conference and took the opportunity during our meeting with the President to lobby for further support for the International Fund for Ireland which has already made such a positive impact on the lives of so many of our people."

Earlier in the day the Ministers had addressed business and political leaders, at the annual St Patrick's Day Northern Ireland Bureau breakfast.