Breaking News

Study reveals health of Travellers 02/09/10
Nurses pulls out of HSE talks 02/09/10
Cavan man named as one of NYC's ‘worst landlords' 02/09/10
Stricter rules for learner drivers 02/09/10
Funeral today of murdered schoolgirl 02/09/10
Criminal Traynor arrested near Amsterdam 02/09/10

UN secretary general to visit Ireland

Ban Ki-moon to meet with President McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen during July 7 meeting By Patrick O'Brien - 01/07/09

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon is to pay an official visit to Ireland next week on July 7 and 8.

During the course of his visit, the secretary general will meet President McAleese and with Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who will host a working lunch in Government Buildings on July 7.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin will also hold discussions with the secretary general and host a dinner in his honour on the same day.

Mr Ban has also been invited by the Institute for International and European Affairs to deliver an address on United Nations peace-keeping during the course of his visit. He will also meet with the Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea and with the Army Chief of Staff to discuss Irish participation in UN-mandated peace operations.

Announcing the visit, Mr Martin said he was delighted Mr Ban was visiting Ireland.

"For Ireland, commitment to the United Nations has long been a cornerstone of our foreign policy and we remain strongly supportive of its role and work in areas such as peace-keeping, disarmament, development and humanitarian action," he said.

"Since assuming office in January 2007, [Mr] Ban has provided wise leadership to the United Nations, particularly in relation to such important global challenges as climate change."

"I look forward to discussing these and many other issues with the secretary general during the course of his visit, including UN reform and the increasingly close and productive relationship between the EU and UN in the area of international peace and security," he added.