Ireland plans to use its upcoming presidency of the European Union to help improve relations between Europe and the United States after the strains provoked by the Iraq war.
"With no particular axe to grind over the war, Ireland could play the part of honest broker between both sides," Europe Minister Mr Dick Roche said today.
"The huge amount of kinship, friendship and bonds of blood between both countries mean we share the same objectives," he said.
The next EU-US summit will take place in Europe towards the end of the Irish presidency and Mr Roche said he hopes then to invite President George W. Bush to Dublin.
"It's a generally accepted view in Europe that if any nation state is well placed to bridge the gap with the US it is Ireland," Mr Roche added, citing strong historical ties. Ireland takes over the rotating EU presidency from Italy in the New Year.