Taoiseach Brian Cowen today described his four-day visit to the United States to promote Ireland as a business hub as a success.
As he prepared for his final engagements before returning to Ireland, Mr Cowen said the message was well received and that he had useful discussions about how to tackle the global economic downturn.
The Taoiseach will meet the chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the United States Congress Richie Neal later today.
“I have had a very successful and encouraging visit to the United States,” Mr Cowen said.
“My message has been that Ireland is a confident, successful economy with a vigorous and skilled workforce and a sound, coherent economic strategy that will address the short-term economic challenges while continuing to build for our future success.
“I am glad to say that message has been very well received.”
Mr Cowen said he had very useful discussions about the international financial situation. “I intend to reflect and to act on that advice, with my colleagues in Government, as we set about building for the future,” he said.
Speaking at an Irish Americamagazine - Wall Street 50 dinner last night, Mr Cowen described the trade and economic relationship between Ireland and the United States as "strong and consistent."
“A key aspect of our economic relationship is the role that US investment plays in Ireland’s economic growth and prosperity, a role that is greatly valued by the Irish Government.”
The Taoiseach continued: “An indication of the strength of our economic relationship is the fact that Irish companies in the US now employ over 80,000 people. This number has increased ten fold in the last 10 years."
Mr Cowen told his audience that despite the challenges in the global economy, the Irish economy “is fundamentally strong”.
The Fianna Fáil leader left on his first official US trip since taking office on Tuesday.
His first major engagement on returning to Ireland will be to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who will arrive in the country on Monday to discuss the fall-out from the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Additional reporting PA