PM Next On Kenny's 'Diplomatic Offensive'

Enda Kenny, the Irish Republic's Taoiseach, is in London this week continuing what he has styled "his international diplomatic offensive" on a visit to London.

His programme includes his first formal bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, a series of media appearances, a major keynote address on the theme of Ireland's economic recovery and meetings with Irish community representatives.

The meeting with the Prime Minister is expected to cover the future development of the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Britain, including preparations for the forthcoming visit by Queen Elizabeth, as well as matters relating to Northern Ireland, the economy and the EU.

The Taoiseach (pictured) is expected to tell an audience of over 200 at an event in the city of the swift and decisive action taken by his Government in its first five weeks in office and to outline his vision for how they will help to engineer economic recovery.

Speaking before his departure, the Taoiseach said: "The purpose of my visit to London is three-fold. I want to meet with representatives of the Irish community and to recognise their contribution to our country and to life in Britain.

"I will be communicating widely, with key opinion formers and the broader business community, through the media and through public events, what the new Government is doing to address Ireland’s economic crisis," he said.

"And I will be meeting with the Prime Minister to emphasise our shared commitment to building on the peace process in Northern Ireland and to deepening our bilateral relationship between Ireland and Britain, in all of its many dimensions. We will also share our views on current EU and economic issues."

(BMcN/GK)