Stormont Leaders Head To USA For Paddy's Day

There's a hearty breakfast on offer in the USA tomorrow for NI's two top politicians.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness today began a short visit to Washington D.C. ahead of this week's St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

The first official engagement will be a Congressional Breakfast tomorrow morning hosted by Congressman Peter King, after which they will speak to key Senators in relation to the International Fund for Ireland.

They will later meet with Senators Patrick Leahy and John Kerry who play powerful roles on Senate committees to strongly advocate continuation of the Fund.

The visit follows earlier lobbying by the Stormont Junior Minister, DUP MLA, Robin Newton.

The First and Deputy First Ministers (pictured) will also attend a business event hosted by US Economic Envoy Declan Kelly and the US Chamber of Commerce before attending the annual American Ireland Fund Dinner.

It also emerged that, when Dáil business concludes today, Enda Kenny, the newly appointed Irish Taoiseach will also be heading to the US for the traditional St Patrick's Day Shamrock Exchange at the White House and that eight Irish Ministers will also head to other locations around the world on the big day.

The Republic's Premier will be in good company on St. Patrick's Day, as Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness will be hosting an NI Bureau event - yet another breakfast - where they will deliver keynote addresses on the growing importance of creative industries to the local economy.

They will also meet with John Boehner, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon and also hope to make a courtesy call with President Obama.

Before returning home on Friday, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister will then meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the US State Department.

Speaking in advance of the visit DUP Leader, Mr Robinson said: "This short visit will provide us with the opportunity to further develop the close ties that already exist with the Obama administration. We will be having key meetings with influential figures and we intend to use every opportunity to promote the benefits of economic investment in Northern Ireland.

"President Obama, like other presidents before him, has been a strong supporter of peace and stability and when we last met him he outlined his support for the transfer of policing and justice powers to the devolved administration. This visit will allow us the opportunity to provide an update on this and other areas."

The Deputy First Minister said: "The United States has always been a steadfast friend and supporter of the peace process, economic development and social justice. It is right and proper that we thank those in America who supported us as we complete our first full Assembly term.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness continued: "We continue to face the challenge of promoting economic growth for the benefit of all.

"US investment is a vital element in this as we seek to create employment, tackle poverty and give all communities a stake in the future. There are also concerns about the long-term future of the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and we will be raising this issue during our visit."

See: International Funds Discussed In US

(BMcC/KMcA)