A delegation of US Congressmen arrives in Ireland today to get an insight into Irish politics.
The nine-man group, led by newly appointed chairman of the Friends of Ireland, Congressman Richard E Neal, will discuss a number of topical issues including Northern Ireland, emigration and international politics and economics.
Invited by the Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon and the Irish Parliamentary Association, the delegation will visit County Kerry where they will see the Blasket Centre, the Kerry Group in Tralee, and meet the Mayor of Kerry, Ted Fitzgerald.
Back in Dublin on Tuesday, they will meet a cross-party group of Oireachtas members at Leinster House, where they will hold inter-parliamentary talks on a range of key subjects.
On Wednesday, Congressman Neal will address a conference entitled Ireland's Attitude To The Diaspora at Dublin Castle, before attending sittings of the Dail and Seanad Eireann, and meeting President Mary McAleese, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern.
"Their visit highlights the degree of interest on both sides in strengthening the closest ties between our legislatures," said Mr O'Hanlon, expressing his delight at welcoming the members back.