The Taoiseach will arrive in Darwin this evening for a week-long official visit to Australia which will also include a brief visit to East Timor. Mr Ahern, who left Dublin last night, will meet business leaders and representatives of the Irish community.
An honorary degree will be conferred on him at the Victoria University of Technology and he will visit the National Gallery of Australia in Sydney where a volume of the Book of Kells is on display.
During his visit to East Timor, Mr Ahern will meet the commander of the UN peacekeeping force and Irish Defence Forces personnel. He will also meet the East Timorese leaders, Mr Xanana Gusmao and Mr Jose Ramos Horta.
On March 15th, the Taoiseach will arrive in Washington for the St Patrick's Day celebrations hosted by President Clinton.