THE first official visit to Ireland by a German chancellor since 1979 when Mr Helmut Schmidt made such a bilateral visit begins today with the arrival of Dr Helmut Kohl in Dublin.
Accompanied by his wife, Hannelore, and a large contingent from the German media, Dr Kohl is due to be met at Dublin Airport by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and his wife, Finola.
After an official ceremonial welcome, the Chancellor will be driven immediately to Government Buildings for discussions on EU and bilateral affairs with the Taoiseach. Both men will then meet the media for a briefing before lunch.
Security around Leinster House will be strict as the Chancellor arrives at the Dail for an address scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
Shortly before 5 p.m., he will travel to the Berkeley Court Hotel for a press conference.
Mr and Mrs Bruton will host a banquet tonight in Dublin Castle at which Chancellor and Mrs Kohl will be guests of honour.
Tomorrow, Dr Kohl will pay a courtesy call on the President, Mrs Robinson, at Aras an Uachtarain before going to Trinity College to view the Book of Kells.
As tomorrow is German Unity Day, the Chancellor and his wife will host a special reception at the RDS to which members of the German community in Ireland have been invited.
The Kohls leave at 5 p.m. tomorrow but the Chancellor will be back in Dublin on Saturday for the informal European Council meeting at Dublin Castle. That visit will last just one day.