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.


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