Obama Discusses Economy with Irish Leader

St. Patrick’s Day talks

Brian Cowen

President Barack Obama today met with the head of the Irish government, Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

The meeting, appropriately scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, was held in the Oval Office.

Not a lot to celebrate

Today marks the first St. Patrick’s Day that Taoiseach Cowen has been in office. He was elected May 7, 2008. Of course, it is also Obama’s first St. Patrick’s Day in office.

Unfortunately, the circumstances of the meeting are not too jovial. Talks are expected to focus on the global economic crisis. Similar to the United States, Ireland handed out cash advances to many banks last year in attempt to stabilize its financial system.

Pot of gold?

Of course, some good could come of these discussions. Obama and Cowen will discuss United States relations with Northern Ireland. Perhaps the two will come up with ways to mutually benefit each other’s economies.

Unlucky Irish

Ireland’s finance minister spoke about Ireland’s financial crisis yesterday. He insinuated that the recession has hit Ireland harder than the rest of the world.

However, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan also expressed hope that Ireland would weather the storm and recover quickly. He has utmost faith in agreements that have been put in place and the country’s efforts so far to bail itself out.

Sign of sagging spending

Ryanair, the airline most known in this part of the world for suggesting it might charge to use the airplane bathroom, has shown other signs of financial instability. It says it will cancel four of it outbound flights from Dublin. Many United States airlines have cut national and international flights as well. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Obama Discusses Economy with Irish Leader"