Taoiseach heads to Washington
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to travel to Washington DC today as part of his traditional St Patrick's Day trip to the United States.
Mr Ahern has spent the last two days in San Jose, California, where he has attended a series of engagements and meetings with local businessmen.
This evening, he is due to meet New York-based lobbyists seeking green cards for tens of thousands of illegal Irish immigrants in the US before holding talks on the matter with Senator Ted Kennedy tomorrow.
Mr Kennedy has put forward legislation that could see these immigrants have their status regularised within six years.
Mr Ahern is also due to present the traditional bowl of shamrock to George W Bush at the White House on Friday before holding talks with the US President on a range of Irish issues, particularly the peace process.
