TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen returned home to Ireland yesterday after a five-day visit to the United States, the highlight of which was the time spent with President Barack Obama on St Patrick’s Day.
The warmth of the reception from Mr Obama during a series of events, culminating in a reception in the White House that evening, was a striking feature of the visit, which involved four joint public appearances by the Taoiseach and the US president.
Equally important, the serious content of the discussions between the president and the Taoiseach during their 40-minute bilateral meeting was regarded by Irish officials as a significant development.
There was an open exchange of views between the two men on the global financial crisis and Mr Cowen undertook to convey Mr Obama’s views to the other EU leaders at their summit, which begins in Brussels today.
The two men also discussed relations between Ireland and the US, and the Taoiseach expressed himself satisfied after the meeting that there would not be any significant move on economic policy that would damage existing or future US investment in Ireland. He cited the estimate by the US National Bureau for Economic Research that every $1 invested abroad by American multi-national companies generates $3.50 in investment back in the United States itself.
Mr Cowen emphasised that Mr Obama had made it clear he does not regard Ireland as a tax haven.
Northern Ireland also featured in the talks and both men emphasised their commitment to ensuring that the Belfast Agreement would hold, despite the recent terrorist attacks.
At the lunch hosted by Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill, the Taoiseach thanked the US politicians present for helping to bring peace and prosperity to Ireland.
“Nothing symbolises this better than the presence today of our colleagues First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, along with other representatives from Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Last week, a tiny and evil minority killed two soldiers and a policeman in Northern Ireland. They sought to destroy the peace we have built together. They did not succeed, they cannot succeed, they will not succeed.”