Mary Harney
Ceist:8 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach when he expects the planned visit by President Clinton, to this country to take place. [10231/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Presidential Visit.
When I met President Clinton at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in March, I was very pleased to extend an invitation to him to visit Ireland.
President Clinton responded favourably to the invitation, subject to arranging mutually convenient dates. I discussed the invitation again with President Clinton when we met recently in Moscow. The timing of the visit is currently under discussion and an announcement will be made when the arrangements are in place.
I would like to take this opportunity to express the Government's appreciation of the very positive and constructive contribution which President Clinton, his administration and Members of Congress have made and continue to make to the peace process here.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I join with him in thanking President Clinton for his positive contribution in that regard and compliment him on his fair and balanced address in Washington.
Is it envisaged that the President's visit will include the North and the South, involving co-ordination between the two Governments? Is the Taoiseach aware whether President Clinton received undertakings from Sinn Féin and others on the arms issue?
I believe it is the President's intention to visit the North and the South, and that is worthwhile. I am not in a position to answer the Deputy's question relating to discussions between officials of the US Administration and Sinn Féin. I was not privy to those discussions and therefore could only give the Deputy second-hand information in that regard.
I am pleased the President proposes to visit Ireland. Who will make the arrangements regarding the trip? We were informed in Washington that the visit would take place over four days in the last week of October. Is that speculation?
It is speculation. A date has not been fixed yet. The President has a very busy schedule meeting Congress commitments and so on and a date that fits in with his diary will be fixed.