Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will address the Joint Houses of Congress in Washington on April 30th, less than a year after addressing a joint session of the British Parliament in Westminster.
Mr Ahern confirmed yesterday he has accepted an invitation from Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to speak at the end of April. The Taoiseach said yesterday that he was deeply honoured by the invitation.
His 30-minute speech is currently being drafted. It is expected to refer to the historical relationship between the US and Ireland; expressions of gratitude to senators, congressmen and congresswomen who supported the peace process; touch on world issues of mutual concern such as Darfur and global warming; and address the strong economic ties between both countries.
Mr Ahern yesterday paid tribute to Ms Pelosi saying she was one of many great friends of Ireland on Capitol Hill.
For her part, Ms Pelosi said: "Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is a tremendously innovative leader, on issues ranging from his leadership in the Northern Ireland peace process to the genocide in Darfur to combating climate change. He presides over an economy that is the envy of Europe, indeed the world."
The address will be made within 12 months of the Taoiseach addressing the joint session of the British parliament. Only four other leaders have addressed both joint houses: Haile Selassie, Charles de Gaulle, François Mitterrand and Nelson Mandela.
However, Mr Ahern is not the first Taoiseach to address Congress. John Bruton did so in 1996, while two of his Fine Gael predecessors, Garret FitzGerald and Liam Cosgrave, were also extended the honour.
Éamon de Valera also addressed Congress, but when he was president, as did another Fianna Fáil president, Seán T O'Kelly .
Speaking to RTÉ News last night, Mr Ahern dismissed the notion that this would be a lap of honour.
"I tell you it could be a long lap. I have to go five years before I get to the end of it. I have a mandate to rule until 2012."
In good company: here's who he's joining
Other leaders who have addressd the English Houses of Parliament and US Congress include Nelson Mandela, François Mitterrand, Charles de Gaulle, and Emperor Haile Selassie
