Mr Clinton, who played golf with the former Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dick Spring on Sunday, met with President McAleese at her official residence on Monday.

BBC: Row over Clinton's Derry visit

But as long ago as December 1993 in the Dail, and then again in June 1994, the Irish foreign minister, Dick Spring, stated unequivocally that the key to Sinn Fein joining political discussions was a permanent cessation of violence, and that there would have to be verification of the handing over of arms.

ECONOMIST: Irish history: Love one another | The

Regulations aimed at protecting fish stocks in the Irish Sea mean their boats are tied up for 10 weeks during the spring.

BBC: The assembly prepares to close for elections

As winter turned to spring the price of a U.S. recession on the Irish betting Web site, Intrade, had gotten as high as 75.

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Trapattoni hinted that Keane's lack of first-team football at Tottenham could put his Irish captain's starting place in doubt for when the qualifiers resume in the Spring.

BBC: Giovanni Trapattoni praises Irish after Slovakia draw