Obama visit to Republic unlikely around G8 summit in June

While US president Barack Obama is due to attend the G8 summit in Northern Ireland in June, it is unlikely he will visit the Republic at that time due to other commitments.

However, the Taoiseach said Mr Obama did intend to make another visit, though he was unable to say when this might be.

Speaking following a meeting with the US president, Mr Kenny said: “There is a standing invitation for the president, the first lady and their family to visit whenever it is appropriate and convenient. I can say to you that he has reaffirmed his intention to come back to Ireland.”

The bulk of the meeting was taken up with discussing the possibility of a new EU-US trade agreement, given that Mr Kenny was also representing the EU presidency.

Trade deal possible
The Taoiseach said the prospect of a trade deal had received a "strong and positive" reaction from the US administration, and was hopeful that talks could get under way before the end of Ireland's presidency of the union. Any final agreement, however, is likely to take anything up to two years to finalise.

“The potential is enormous and the fundamental issue is that [trading] conditions can be set for years to come, dictated by the two great trading blocs at the moment, the EU and US,” Mr Kenny said.

“Clearly, in Ireland’s case, there are implications here for jobs and we discussed that also.”

Immigration
Immigration also featured prominently during the meeting, with both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore expressing support for immigration reforms that could benefit up to 50,000 undocumented Irish people living and working in the US.

“I have to say President Obama is very confident that the situation here can be dealt with within a reasonably short time and he is hopeful there will be a comprehensive response. This is good news, which we have welcomed very strongly.”

Mr Gilmore, who was also present at the White House meeting, added that he raised the issue of a two-year working visa for Irish workers seeking to explore opportunities in the US. This met with a positive response, he said.

The Taoiseach added that he briefed the US president on Ireland’s economic progress.

“We’ve spoken with confidence of the progress made by Ireland and pointed out that our plan and strategy is clear, with the objective of retrieving our economic independence,” he said.

Challenging time
In response to questions from reporters, Mr Kenny denied that he was selling an overly positive view of Ireland.

“It is always tempered by the understanding that people are having a very challenging time in Ireland. That’s why we’re continuing to work very hard with the banks, restructuring, and with the insolvency agency, to help get those 100,000 persons with distressed mortgages back into the economy.”

Mr Kenny said the Government was “unashamedly” focusing on ways of supporting small and medium-sized enterprise and creating new pathways to work.

“This isn’t just a one-sided report here – it’s part of our plan and strategy, which is working. We never said it was going to be easy.”