Cowen “dealt tough hand” says New York Mayor

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has met New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the second day of his visit to the United States.

Mr Cowen also met with executives from Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon, both of which have significant operations in Ireland.

Speaking at City Hall after the meeting, Mayor Bloomberg said Mr Cowen had “been dealt a tough hand, like at a lot of leaders around the world” but said he had “a lot of respect for him and his willingness to take on the tough issues.”

The Taoiseach said he used the meeting to indicate the continuing interest of Irish business in penetrating the New York and Tri-State area.”

“Since beginning of the year 32 more companies from Ireland have set up in the States, eight in New York City,” said Mr Cowen.

Mr Cowen said he wanted to learn lessons about the innovative way in which Mayor Bloomberg had been delivering public services.

The Taoiseach will travel to Atlanta, Georgia tomorrow (Wed) where he will open the first ever Irish consulate office in the southern United States.

He will also meet Governor Sonny Perdue and give an interview to CNN.