File:Senator Hillary Clinton meets with Taoiseach Ahern Bertie Ahern in Washington, D.C.jpg

English: Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today met with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Washington to discuss Ireland's progress to establish peace. Taoiseach Ahern is in the United States this week for the annual St. Patrick's Day events.

During their meeting on Capitol Hill, Taoiseach Ahern and Senator Clinton discussed a wide array of issues focusing on the Irish elections, the peace talks and the future of Northern Ireland. They discussed the elections on March 6th and 7th and the upcoming deadline of March 26th for forming a new government. During the meeting, Senator Clinton expressed her support for Ireland and the peace process and her gratitude to the Taoiseach for his service to Ireland over the past 10 years. The Taoiseach and Senator Clinton also discussed their hopes for continued economic and educational links between New York and Ireland.

"It was a pleasure to meet with the Taoiseach again. I was certainly heartened by the elections earlier this month and I believe that they were a positive step for the nation. I look forward to continuing to support the peace process and to fostering the already strong economic ties between New York State and Ireland."

Earlier this week, Senator Clinton welcomed a tremendous honor from the Irish America Magazine for her longstanding support for Ireland and the Irish-American community. At a ceremony in New York City on Sunday night, Senator Clinton was named "Person of the Year" at the Twenty-Second Annual "Top 100" Awards Ceremony where one hundred of the nation's top Irish-Americans were honored for their outstanding achievements and their commitment to their Irish heritage.