NLIS 6
September 14, 2005
(Executive Council)
Irish prime minister
to visit province
Premier Danny Williams will host
Ireland�s Taoiseach Bertie Ahern this week on the Taoiseach�s first
official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador. Premier Williams said
the arrival of Taoiseach Ahern is greatly welcomed and demonstrates
the strong relationship that has formed between Ireland and
Newfoundland and Labrador.
�We are thrilled Taoiseach Ahern is coming to Newfoundland and
Labrador. He graciously hosted us last year when we visited Ireland
and it is an honour for us to welcome him to our province,� said
Premier Williams.
The visit provides the opportunity for the Taoiseach and the Premier
to discuss the progress of activities that have developed under the
memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Newfoundland and Labrador
and the Republic of Ireland. The MOU is co-ordinated by Ireland
Business Partnerships (IBP) in Newfoundland and Labrador and by the
Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (INP) in Ireland.
�Together, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Republic of Ireland
have enjoyed tremendous progress in the areas of business, culture
and education, which are the focus of the MOU,� said Premier
Williams. �This visit to the province by the Taoiseeach demonstrates
his commitment to continuing our relationship and building upon the
successes we have enjoyed to date.�
Taoiseach Ahern will visit St. John�s on September 16 and 17. While
in St. John�s, he will be given a tour of St. John�s, consisting of
visits to Signal Hill and various other points of interest
throughout the city. He will also accompany Premier Williams to The
Rooms where he will attend a reception in his honour and meet
members of the Irish Newfoundland community. He will also view the
�Limestone Barrens� exhibit, an Ireland, Newfoundland, Ontario
collaborative art exhibition, as well as the multi-media exhibition,
�Next Door Neighbours�, currently on loan from the Irish Museum of
Modern Art.
Taoiseach Ahern will attend a private mass at the Basilica of St.
John the Baptist, after which he will receive a tour of the
cathedral and museum and view a plaque commemorating the national
historic significance of Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming, builder of
the Basilica. The plaque was unveiled earlier this month on the
occasion of the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the
Basilica. During his visit to the Basilica, the Taoiseach will also
visit with Newfoundland and Labrador clergy who trained at All
Hallows College in Drumcondra, Ireland, and some of whom the
Taoiseach met in his youth.
Media contact: Ken Morrissey, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-4304
2005 09 14
2:15 p.m. |