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Ahern due to address US Congress | Ahern due to address US Congress |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Bertie Ahern is to address a joint session of the US Congress in Washington on Wednesday, days before he steps down as Irish prime minister. | |
The invitation was issued to the Fianna Fáil leader in recognition of his work for the Northern Ireland peace process. | The invitation was issued to the Fianna Fáil leader in recognition of his work for the Northern Ireland peace process. |
He joins an elite group of five international statesmen who have been invited to speak to both houses. | He joins an elite group of five international statesmen who have been invited to speak to both houses. |
Mr Ahern will also meet US President George Bush. Earlier, the taoiseach's hotel was evacuated in a fire alert. | Mr Ahern will also meet US President George Bush. Earlier, the taoiseach's hotel was evacuated in a fire alert. |
'Deeply honoured' | 'Deeply honoured' |
Mr Ahern is due to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6 May. | Mr Ahern is due to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6 May. |
He was the first Irish leader to address MPs at the Palace of Westminster. | |
Accepting the invitation to Congress from Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in February, Mr Ahern said he had been deeply honoured. | |
Other Irish statesmen also invited to make the Congress address included John Bruton in 1996, Garret FitzGerald in 1984 and Liam Cosgrave in 1976. | |
Presidents Eamon de Valera in 1964 and Sean T O'Ceallaigh in 1959 also addressed the House. | |
You can watch the address on this site at 1600 BST. |