17/11/2011

Enda Kenny Begins Two-Day Visit North

The first official visit to NI by the Republic of Ireland's current leader, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, is taking place today and on Friday.

He travelled to Belfast first and is then is due to go to Armagh, where the North South Ministerial Council will meet tomorrow afternoon, hosted by the First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Stormont Castle.

The Taoiseach arrived in Belfast on Thursday for his first engagement - a courtesy call on the Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers.

He is then due to move on to visit Belfast community projects on the Newtownards Road and the Short Strand to see some of the important work being done on the ground.

The Taoiseach will then attend the Aisling Awards ceremony and dinner at the Europa Hotel as the guest of honour where he will deliver the keynote address and present the Person of the Year Award.

His speech is expected to cover current economic challenges and commemoration of significant centenary anniversaries over the next few years.

The Taoiseach also hopes to have the opportunity to meet with Geraldine Finucane during his visit, over the family's continued demands for a full public inquiry into the murder of her husband, the late Pat Finucane.

On Friday morning he will begin the second day of his trip with a Business Breakfast Meeting with leaders of companies and organisations across Northern Ireland.

He will address them on economic issues and on Ireland's recovery.

His last stop in Belfast on Friday will be to visit Belfast City Hall where he will be welcomed by Sinn Fein Lord Mayor Niall O'Donnghaile and also members of the City Council.

The Taoiseach will depart Belfast for Armagh to attend the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council, accompanied by members of the Cabinet. He will conclude his two day visit to Northern Ireland with a brief tour of Armagh city.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach was on his first official visit to Germany where he met Chancellor Angela Merkel for a working lunch and briefed the Chancellor on Ireland's progress towards building a sustainable economic recovery.

The Taoiseach and the Chancellor also discussed the latest developments in the Euro zone and other key issues on the EU agenda.

(BMcC/GK)

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