Harris to meet US President in White House next month

Taoiseach Simon Harris has accepted an invitation to meet US President Joe Biden in the White House next month.

The Taoiseach and Mr Biden will also speak at an event to mark a century of bilateral relations between Ireland and the US.

The United States was the first country to recognise the Irish Free State in 1924.

A Government spokesperson said the event "will also be an opportunity to reflect on President Biden's career-long friendship with Ireland".

Mr Harris will also undertake a number of other engagements while in Washington DC.

President Biden formally invited the Taoiseach to visit Washington during the UN General Assembly in New York.

At the assembly last night, Mr Harris held a bilateral meeting with President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa.

In a post on X, Mr Harris said the nation "recognises Palestine and their right to statehood".

"I met the Palestinian President to convey this to him on behalf of the people of Ireland," he said.

Mr Harris added that an immediate "ceasefire and a political peace process is urgently required" .

Mr Abbas and Mr Mustafa thanked the Taoiseach for Ireland's recognition of the state of Palestine.