Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Ireland’s Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today in Washington to discuss the progress of Ireland's peace process and other issues facing Ireland and the Irish-American Community. Senator Clinton and Taoiseach Ahern have met together every year on or around St. Patrick’s Day since 2002 to renew their dialogue on Irish-American relations.

During the meeting, Senator Clinton expressed her support for Ireland and the peace process and her gratitude to the Taoiseach for his many years of service to Ireland. The Taoiseach and Senator Clinton also discussed their hopes for continued economic, educational, and cultural links between New York and Ireland.

“It is always an honor to meet with the Taoiseach. Over the many years that we have worked together, on closer ties between Ireland and New York, on the peace process and the future of Northern Ireland, and on many other issues of mutual concern, I have been grateful for his steady leadership and dedication to peace,” Senator Clinton said. “I look forward to continuing our long and productive relationship, and that of our two nations, in the future.”

Senator Clinton and Taoiseach Ahern have met more than a dozen times since 1998. As First Lady, Senator Clinton traveled to Ireland and encouraged the peace process that produced the historic Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Speaking in Scranton, PA on Sunday, Taoiseach Ahern said Senator Clinton’s efforts were “hugely helpful” to the peace process.

Senator Clinton also has worked closely with the government of the Republic of Ireland on economic development issues important to New York. In September 2003 Senator Clinton was honored to host a reception with The College of Saint Rose in Albany to welcome Taoiseach Ahern and present him with the College of Saint Rose Oldcastle Award on Irish-American Affairs. Senator Clinton and Taoiseach Ahern last met on March 15, 2007 in Washington.

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