CAPITOL HILL:TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has invited members of the Friends of Ireland congressional group to visit Ireland next year as part of "the Gathering".
Mr Kenny said the visit would give members of the group, which is highly influential in promoting Irish-related issues in Washington, a first-hand opportunity to witness the work being done to foster peace North and South.
He was speaking in Capitol Hill yesterday after meeting a delegation from the group and attending a lunch hosted by Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner. The event was attended by US president Barack Obama, vice-president Joe Biden and leading Irish-American politicians, including former speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The North’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, also attended, as did Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and Pat Breen, Fine Gael chairman of the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee.
Mr Kenny said he updated the group on the importance of retaining funding for the International Fund for Ireland and discussed a number of immigration issues. The rise in dissident Republican activity and the Taoiseach’s call for a public inquiry into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane were also discussed.
Congressman Peter King, who chairs the Friends of Ireland group, praised Mr Kenny for bringing bipartisanship between Democrats and Republicans to Capitol Hill. Describing the discussions as memorable and worthwhile, he said he looked forward to coming to Ireland next year.
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