13 Mar 2012, 14:22
The former Speaker and current Democratic Leader of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi [D-CA] will visit Leinster House on Wednesday, 14th March.
The Minority Leader will be accompanied by seven members of the House of Representatives. The delegation will attend a sitting of Dáil Éireann where they will be recognised and officially welcomed to Leinster House by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett, TD. The delegation will then attend an official working lunch hosted by the Ceann Comhairle where they will have an opportunity to meet with members of the Dáil and discuss matters of mutual interest.
Speaking ahead of the visit the Ceann Comhairle said: “It is a real pleasure for me as Ceann Comhairle to welcome to Leinster House such a distinguished delegation from the United States House of Representatives. During a political career that has spanned twenty five years Nancy Pelosi has held some of the most senior positions in the United States Congress including two terms as Speaker. She broke through the glass ceiling when, in 2002, she was elected the first woman to lead a major political party in the US.
This visit is of particular significance coming as it does on the eve of our national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. The World’s focus shifts to Ireland and all things Irish at this time and we need to harness and take full advantage of this in view of the many challenges that lie ahead for our country.
World recession, the Irish economy, renewable energy and Europe together with Northern Ireland and the undocumented Irish in the US will all be high on the agenda when we sit down to have discussions with the Congressional Delegation.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Cáit Hayes
Communications Unit
Houses of the Oireachtas
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Tel: + 353 1 618 3883
Mob: + 353 87 9190300
Notes to the Editor:
The following members of the House of Representatives will accompany Minority Leader Pelosi:
- Congressman George Miller [D-CA]
- Congressman Ed Markey [D-MA]
- Congressman Nick Rahall [D-WV]
- Congressman Richard E. Neal [D-MA] Democratic Leader of the Friends of Ireland on Capitol Hill
- Congressman Carolyn Maloney [D-NY]
- Congressman Mike Doyle [D-PA]
- Congressman Keith Ellison [D-MN]
D = Democrat
CA = California
MA = Massachusetts
WV = West Virginia
NY = New York
PA = Pennsylvania
MN = Minnesota