A snowstorm in the northeast of the US threatens to disrupt the travel schedule of the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, who yesterday began a US tour to promote investment in Ireland.

The Tanaiste was due to fly by Government jet last night from the southern state of Georgia to Philadelphia, but authorities yesterday cancelled flights to and from airports in Pennsylvania and other north-eastern states because of snow.

Five firms considering investment in the Republic had been lined up by the IDA in Philadelphia for Ms Harney to visit.

She began her tour in Florida with a speech on investment in Ireland at Lynn University in Boca Raton, parent to the American College in Dublin which has more than 700 Irish, US and international students.

Tomorrow the Tanaiste is scheduled to address a global Internet conference in Virginia and to meet the US Secretary of Commerce, Mr Donald Evans.