President Barack Obama will use his visit to Ireland to discuss important bilateral issues with both Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Mary McAleese, the White House said today.
Announcing further details of Mr Obama's trip in Washington today, officials said the visit would also allow the US president honour Mrs McAleese's "extraordinary legacy of serving the people of Ireland and advancing peace in Northern Ireland as well".
The Government announced yesterday that members of the public will have free access to an event in College Green in Dublin at which Mr Obama will speak on Monday.
The president will speak from behind a plexiglass screen for security reasons, and metal scanners will be in operation, but access is not being restricted in any way.
In his speech, expected to last 15 to 20 minutes, Mr Obama is expected to highlight the strong ties between Ireland and the US.
Large screens will be in place on College Green to enable all present to see those on stage.
Workers have begun removing street signs and bicycle racks in College Green to create space for a stage for the president's address.
As details of Mr Obama’s itinerary emerged yesterday, US army aircraft have begun arriving at Dublin airport as part of the logistical back-up for the one-day visit.
Mr Obama is due to arrive at the airport on Air Force One shortly before 10am on Monday. He will then make a courtesy call on President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin, before travelling within the Phoenix Park to Farmleigh, where he will call on Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the Government’s guest residence.
At the White House today, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor told journalists the meeting with Mrs McAleese would offer an important opportunity to both discuss bilateral issues and also to "honour her extraordinary legacy of serving the people of Ireland and advancing peace in Northern Ireland as well".
The meeting with the Taoiseach would also offer an opportunity to discuss "a range of bilateral issues".
He will hold a private meeting with US embassy staff.
Weather permitting, he will then travel by helicopter to Moneygall, Co Offaly, the site of his ancestral homestead. An hour has been allocated for this visit, during which Mr Obama will have a pint poured for him in a local pub and, unlike Queen Elizabeth, will most likely take a sip.
Mr Vietor said the trip to Moneygall was "a homecoming of sorts" for Mr Obama.
"He’s very excited to see this small town in Ireland from which he has roots, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing some of the people of Moneygall and making a stop there. After that, he’ll return to Dublin, where he’ll be able to deliver remarks at a public event about the ties between the United States and Ireland."
The only public event on his tour, at College Green, is scheduled to begin at 5pm, but this start time could be pushed later.
A number of rock, pop, traditional and classical music and spoken word artists will warm up the crowd for an hour before his speech.
A statement issued by the Department of the Taoiseach last night said the event would “be open to members of the public and is free of charge, tickets will not be required.
“To facilitate the large number of people expected to attend, security gates will open at 2pm on the day”, the statement added.
“Members of the public are advised to enter the security gates at the intersection of Parliament Street and Dame Street in front of Dublin Castle. Members of the public should either proceed from the north on Parliament Street or from the west on Dame Street.”
Signs and banners along with food and beverages will not be allowed inside the event site. Cameras and mobile phones will be permitted.
Mr Obama, who will be accompanied by his wife Michelle, will fly out of Dublin at 10.25am on Tuesday to start a state visit to the UK. He may stop at Glasnevin Cemetery en route to the airport.
Gardaí said tonight they were not yet in a position to provide detailed traffic management information regarding route restrictions and closures, as Mr Obama's itinerary was still being finalised.
Full details are due tomorrow afternoon. It is expected that traffic restrictions will not impact on commuter traffic in Dublin city up until 10am on Monday, other than for commuters who use routes through Phoenix Park.
