TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE is to join President Michael D Higgins on his State visit to England today.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs will travel with his wife, Carol Hanney, alongside President Higgins and his wife Sabina.
Gilmore will take part in the official ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle and will accompany the President throughout tomorrow, which includes his address to Westminster and the State Banquet at Windsor Castle.
He will then accompany the President throughout Wednesday and Thursday, giving a speech to a a group of Irish start-ups at the Irish Embassy.
During the visit, Gilmore will meet with Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, and Labour Party leader Ed Milliband.
The Tánaiste says that the visit will foster and strengthen friendships.
“It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the warm friendship which now exists across the Irish Sea and to recognise the substantial contribution made by the Irish community in the UK.
“From a trade perspective, it will also highlight our close economic links. The UK is our most important market, with trade of over €1 billion worth of goods and services every week, and 200,000 people employed in Ireland as a result of exports to the UK.”
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