This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7375195.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ahern due to address US Congress Ahern due to address US Congress
(about 2 hours later)
Bertie Ahern is due to address a joint session of the US Congress in Washington, days before he steps down as Irish prime minister. Bertie Ahern is to address a joint session of the US Congress in Washington on Wednesday, days before he steps down as Irish prime minister.
The invitation was issued to the Fianna Fáil leader in recognition of his work for the Northern Ireland peace process.The invitation was issued to the Fianna Fáil leader in recognition of his work for the Northern Ireland peace process.
He joins an elite group of five international statesmen who have been invited to speak to both houses.He joins an elite group of five international statesmen who have been invited to speak to both houses.
Mr Ahern will also meet US President George Bush. Earlier, the taoiseach's hotel was evacuated in a fire alert.Mr Ahern will also meet US President George Bush. Earlier, the taoiseach's hotel was evacuated in a fire alert.
Mr Ahern was woken by the US Secret Service at about 0920 BST following a suspected blaze in a generator.
The Irish prime minister and his officials later returned to the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel after the fire was extinguished.
Mr Ahern said that during the alert, everybody walked down the stairs in an orderly fashion without any panic.
He said there had been a strong smell of smoke in the roof of the hotel just above him. The whole party is believed to have been shaken by the experience.
'Deeply honoured''Deeply honoured'
Mr Ahern is due to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6 May.Mr Ahern is due to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6 May.
He was the first Irish leader to address MPs at the Palace ofWestminster. He was the first Irish leader to address MPs at the Palace of Westminster.
Accepting the invitation to Congress from Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives Nancy Pelosi in February, Mr Ahern said he had been deeplyhonoured. Accepting the invitation to Congress from Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in February, Mr Ahern said he had been deeply honoured.
Other Irish statesmen also invited to make the Congressaddress included John Bruton in 1996, Garret FitzGerald in 1984 and Liam Cosgrave in1976. Other Irish statesmen also invited to make the Congress address included John Bruton in 1996, Garret FitzGerald in 1984 and Liam Cosgrave in 1976.
Presidents Eamon de Valera in 1964 and Sean T O'Ceallaigh in 1959 alsoaddressed the House. Presidents Eamon de Valera in 1964 and Sean T O'Ceallaigh in 1959 also addressed the House.
The formal proceedings at Congress on Wednesday will be followed by a star-studded receptionat the Irish ambassador's residence. You can watch the address on this site at 1600 BST.