Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to address the Joint Houses of the United States Congress, it was confirmed today.
He will be only the fifth world leader to have addressed both the Joint Houses of Congress and the Joint Houses of Parliament in the UK.
Mr Ahern will make his address on April 30 that the request of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
Ms Pelosi, a California Democrat said the Taoiseach presides over an economy that is the envy of the world.
"He is tremendously innovative leader, on issues ranging from his leadership in the Northern Ireland peace process to the genocide in Darfur to combating climate change," Ms Pelosi said.
The Taoiseach said he was honoured and that Ms Pelosi was "one of many great friends of Ireland on Capitol Hill".
"This invitation is a singular honour for Ireland and one of great historic significance, reflecting the unique friendship between Ireland and the United States over many centuries and which continues to the present day," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern will be the fourth Taoiseach to address the Joint Houses following John Bruton in 1996; Garret Fitzgerald in 1984; and Liam Cosgrave in 1976.
Former presidents Sean T O Ceallaigh in 1959 and Eamon de Valera in 1964 have also addressed the joint houses.
The only other leaders to have addressed the joint houses of the British and US legislature were: former South African president Nelson Mandela; former French presidents Francois Mitterand and Charles de Gaulle; and Emperor Haile Salassie of Ethiopia.