AIF host Paisley and McGuinness at New York Stock Exchange : 12.3.07

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• Dr. Paisley and Mr. McGuinness message to AIF >
• AIF Reception for Dr. Paisley and Mr. McGuinness >

The American Ireland Fund was privileged to organize and host the first event of the first joint visit to the United States by Dr. Ian Paisley, First Minister of Northern Ireland, and Mr. Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, at the New York Stock Exchange on December 3rd, 2007.

The Minister’s week long visit to the United States was focused on generating business contacts and encouraging investment in Northern Ireland.  Given the political stability achieved through the establishment of the Devolved Government on May 8th, the Ministers’ message was that Northern Ireland is ‘Open for Business’.  There could not have been a more appropriate setting to relay this message than the New York Stock Exchange, the cradle of capitalism.

The Ministers were greeted by Duncan Niederauer, CEO of NYSE Euronext and Noreen Culhane, Executive Vice President of NYSE Euronext.  On a day of firsts, it was also Mr. Niederauer’s first function as the newly installed CEO of the NYSE. 

The Ministers toured the floor and mounted the podium for photographs in this iconic business setting.  The Ministers then addressed a breakfast of the Fund’s leading supporters and New York’s leading investors.  They pointed out that with low unemployment and a very highly regarded educational system, Northern Ireland is ripe for investment.

Gifts marking this historic occasion were exchanged between the Ministers, Mr. Niederauer and Loretta Brennan Glucksman on behalf of The American Ireland Fund.

Summing up the morning, Chairman of the AIF, Loretta Brennan Glucksman said:
     ‘Not so long ago, it would have seemed improbable that such a breakfast would be taking place.  It is a sign of the courage and commitment of the Ministers that we are at a point where discussions about Northern Ireland focus on economics not politics.  For thirty years, The American Ireland Fund has been devoted to building a new society in Northern Ireland.  It is immensely gratifying that we could host Dr. Ian Paisley and Mr. Martin McGuinness to the first event of their first trip to the United States.’

Photo Index
1 - Kieran McLoughlin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisly, Ian Paisley Jr., Duncan Niederauer and Nigel Dodds
2 - Kieran McLoughlin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Mr. Martin McGuinness, Dr. Ian Paisley
3 - Martin McGuinness, Dr. Ian Paisley and Noreen Culhane
4 - Ian Paisley, Ian Paisley Jr., Noreen Culhane, Martin McGuinness, Duncan Niederauer, Kieran McLoughlin
5 - Ian Paisley, Loretta Brennan Glucksman
6 - Martin McGuinness, Duncan Niederauer, Ian Paisley
7 - Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisley, Kieran McLoughlin
8 - Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisley, Noreen Culhane
9 - Martin McGuinness, Brian Ruane, Ian Paisley
10 - Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisley, Jim Quinn
11 - Kieran McLoughlin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness
12 - Kieran McLoughlin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisly, Ian Paisley Jr., Duncan Niederauer and Nigel Dodd