Florida governor Jeb Bush, brother of US president George W Bush, is due to meet Taoiseach Bertie Ahern this morning as part of a series of trade meetings likely to attract protests by anti-war activists, writes Carl O'Brien.
Gardaí are providing security for the governor, who also plans to address a private lunch of the American Chamber of Commerce in Dublin this afternoon.
The Stop Bush Campaign, which organised protests at the visit of President Bush here last year, is due to picket outside the Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin, today.
Richard Boyd Barrett, chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement, said: "Jeb Bush is not just the governor of Florida but a prominent neo-con warmonger and architect of the policy that led to the Iraq war."
A spokeswoman for the governor, Kirsty Campbell, declined to comment on the planned protests, except to say that the governor "respected the right of citizens to express themselves".
Mr Bush's visit to the Taoiseach at Government Buildings is described by officials in Florida and Dublin as a courtesy call. The governor's aides say Mr Bush is seeking to establish closer business ties with Ireland and the UK in areas such as biotechnology, aeronautics and tourism.
Officials say Mr Bush does not plan to answer media questions or give press interviews during his visit.
The Florida governor has spent the last week in the UK, where he attended the Farnborough International Airshow and met officials in the aviation and aerospace industries.
He also had private meetings with British prime minister Tony Blair and Scottish deputy first minister Nicol Stephen.
Gardaí, meanwhile, declined to say what level of security has been arranged for the governor. Mr Bush is not due to return to Florida until later in the weekend.
The trade mission is one of Mr Bush's last trips abroad as governor. He is due to complete his term of office in January.