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| Ahern in address to US Congress | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Bertie Ahern is addressing 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 spoke of long-standing ties with the US. He said: "To be Irish is to be at home in America." | |
| Later, Mr Ahern is due to meet US President George Bush. | |
| '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 of Westminster. | He was the first Irish leader to address MPs at the Palace of Westminster. |
| Accepting the invitation to Congress from Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in February, Mr Ahern said he had been deeply honoured. | 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 Congress address included John Bruton in 1996, Garret FitzGerald in 1984 and Liam Cosgrave in 1976. | 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 also addressed the House. | Presidents Eamon de Valera in 1964 and Sean T O'Ceallaigh in 1959 also addressed the House. |