Alan M. Dukes
Ceist:17 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America. [16466/98]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
As the Government's representative, I accompanied President Mary McAleese on the Washington leg of her five day official visit to Washington and New York last week. This was the Presidents first visit to the United States since she became President last year.
One of the highlights of the visit was the meeting with President Clinton at the White House, where the occasion was used, inter alia, to brief the US President on developments in Northern Ireland. We also took the opportunity to thank the President for his continuing personal interest in and commitment to the search for peace in Ireland.
During the visit to Washington, President McAleese addressed the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the National Press Clubs Morning Newsmaker Session. She received the Presidents medal at Georgetown University and made a major address at the awards ceremony. She attended luncheons as the guest of honour at the US Supreme Court and the House International Relations Committee on Capitol Hill. The President also did a number of television, radio and newspaper interviews during the visit to Washington.
After Washington, President McAleese proceeded to fulfil a number of appointments in New York, while I travelled to Poland for official talks with the Polish Government.