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Taoiseach meets Mayor Bloomberg in New York

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is in New York today as part of his St Patrick's Day visit to the USA. While in New York, the Taoiseach met with Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, and presented him with a teapot that had been kept in the National Museum of Ireland in Co Mayo. The teapot is one of 100 objects contained in the free ebook "The History of Ireland in 100 objects", which was offered as a gift to mark St Patrick's day.

The ebook can be downloaded here.

Speaking at a breakfast event hosted by Mayor Bloomberg, the Taoiseach said:

I’m delighted to be able to join you here in Gracie Mansion for the opening event of what is a very special day for all of us – Irish and New Yorkers alike. And it is a real treat this year that we get to march up 5th Avenue today and still have St. Patrick’s Day to look forward to tomorrow.

This Parade and all of the various events that take place across New York to mark St Patrick’s Day would not and could not happen without the goodwill, and support of Mayor Bloomberg and his team.

Mayor, as I am sure you hear from Speaker Quinn from time to time we are indeed proud of the contribution which generations of Irish men and women have made to this city.

The Irish are found in every borough every corner of New York. In previous generations they came heartbroken hungry in search of new life new hope. Today they come in search of opportunity to work in finance, fashion, film.

For the time they are here they make New York a second ‘home’.

The Taoiseach spoke of Ireland's economic recovery, the Irish EU Presidency and the Gathering:

I’m pleased to say we have made really significant progress since this time last year. Our economy is entering its third consecutive year of growth. Competitiveness is up. Prices and costs have fallen back to 2003 levels.

We are continuing our phased and successful return to the bond markets. International confidence in Ireland has been restored. During second-half 2012 the numbers at work in the economy rose over a six month period for the first time since 2008.

Right now, we hold the Presidency of the European Union leading the drive for competitiveness and job creation across our country and our Union.

If you come visit us you can see for yourselves. As we celebrate St Patrick’s Day I’m delighted to extend a warm and personal welcome to all of you to come ‘home’ to Ireland during the year of The Gathering. This is a year of celebration in which we are inviting the world to join us to experience everything that is unique and wonderful about Ireland. You’ll be spoiled for choice.

Mayor Bloomberg, I know that you have visited my own county Mayo in the past. I hope that trip is suitably imprinted on your memory and that I can welcome you back in the near future to revisit some haunts and perhaps together we might create some new ones.

Read the full speech here.