Meetings with Irish Officials and 3.5% Irish Obama

Hillary met in the Oval Office today with President Obama to welcome Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen to the U.S. During his remarks, Obama sang the praises of the St. Patrick's Day parade on the south side of Chicago, which he called "one of the great events." (Which I attended this weekend!) As everyone was leaving Hillary added in her two cents: "I've marched in that parade. On the coldest day..." She was wearing one of my favorite royal blue pantsuits with a shamrock pinned on. How cute! Hillary also met with Shaun Woodward, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. She said this after their meeting:

"I am pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland here for our meeting on this St. Patrick’s Day where we are deeply connected between not only Ireland and – the island of Ireland and the United States, but of course the United Kingdom and its very progressive and positive role in moving Northern Ireland along the path toward lasting peace and prosperity."

Watch their brief remarks below:

Also, this afternoon she met with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the State Department.

During their remarks to the press she had positive things to say about the progress of peace in Ireland:

"So we are here after ten years of peace, and we’re committed to looking forward to a future where we, the United States, working with them, can create a better life so that every child growing up in Northern Ireland has a chance to live up to his or her God-given potential.

And this is not a subject of passing interest, but of surpassing interest. During my time as First Lady, during my time as senator from New York, I have been privileged to see the people of Northern Ireland move in a direction that has given so much hope to so many, including those far beyond their own boundaries."

They also took some questions from the press. Watch the remarks below: