Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 May 2018
84. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which an Irish citizen can apply to the Irish Embassy in the United States of America for a guided tour of the White House, Washington DC, in September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish citizens who are visiting Washington, D.C., and who would like to visit the White House should contact the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C., at least 21 days before the date of their arrival, supplying their full names (as they appear on their passports) and country of citizenship for each person requesting a tour. The maximum number of visitors that can be accommodated in a visit application is 5.
Please note that White House tours are increasingly difficult to secure. Tours are not automatically possible and there is no guarantee that the White House will facilitate a request from the Embassy. Availability changes daily and tours can be suspended for long periods of time, especially during holiday periods. Tours are not available from Saturday to Monday.
Tours of the White House that are available to Irish citizens are accompanied tours, i.e. the visitor must be accompanied by the Ambassador or the Deputy Head of Mission. Unfortunately, due to the extremely busy schedules of both, they cannot make themselves available for all applications for accompanied tours.
Irish visitors who would like to get other perspectives on political life in Washington, D.C., may also wish to arrange a tour of Capitol Hill or other attractions.
The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, offers visitors a window into the US President's iconic home. The visitor center is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily (except January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25). Admission is free. Visitors can explore an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House, view over 90 artefacts from the White House collection, shop at the White House Historical Association retail store, and view the 14 minute film, "White House: Reflections From Within".
The US Capitol building is open to the public for guided tours but advance reservation is required. More information is available on the Capitol Visitor Center website.
Advance reservation is also required for tours of the Pentagon. More information is available on the Pentagon website.
All of this information can be found on the Irish Embassy’s website: www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/usa/our-services/assistance-and-advice/visiting-washington-dc/
