The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, arrives in Dublin tonight for a two-day visit, during which he will meet Government, Army and Garda representatives.
At the start of his list of official functions, Mr Annan is to visit the UN's Training School Ireland (UNTSI), the college established in 1993 at the Curragh to train soldiers from all UN-participating nations in peacekeeping. His visit will acknowledge the contribution of the Defence Forces to international peacekeeping.
Later, Mr Annan will have talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and will lunch with him on Friday. He will also have talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, and the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue and will meet the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, to acknowledge the contribution of gardai to UN peacekeeping.
Mr Annan will meet the President, Mrs McAleese, and receive an honorary degree from the National University of Ireland. He will lay a wreath in Dublin in honour of Irish soldiers who have died during 40 years of UN service.