KENNY KICKS OFF U.S. TOUR
Taoiseach to attend parade ahead of Trump meeting
ENDA Kenny arrived in the US state of Philadelphia today tostart his five-city tour of America.
The Taoiseach will begin his trip by attending the city’s 274th St Patrick’s Day parade.
It will culminate in a visit to the White House on Thursday, where he will present President Trump with the traditional bowl of shamrocks.
Mr Kenny – who is widely expected to signal his intention to step aside as Taoiseach following the visit – has vowed to raise Ireland’s opposition to the President’s immigration ban.
In a statement, the Government said: “The Taoiseach will use each of these opportunities to emphasise the strength of Irish-us relations, and our Brexit priorities and to continue to advocate for immigration reform to assist the many thousands of undocumented Irish in the US.”
After today’s parade, Mr Kenny will attend an Irish famine memorial before a St Patrick’s Day reception hosted by the GAA, The Brehon Law Society, Irish American Business Chamber and the Irish Immigration Centre.
Tomorrow, the Taoiseach travels to Boston where he will meet Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charie Baker.
Later he will talk to clients from the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, before attending a ceremony at the JFK Library to mark the 100th anniversary of President John F Kennedy’s birth.
Tuesday takes the Fine Gael leader to Rhode Island where he will meet Governer Gina Raimondo. After opening the Ireland West International Trade Centre, Mr Kenny will attend TF Green Airport to mark the commencement of new transatlantic routes operated by Norwegian Airlines. On Friday Mr Kenny travels to New York to participate in the St Patrick’s Day parade. He will then speak at Ireland Day, an event to promote the country.