Rita O'Hare receives visa waiver for US

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness has welcomed the approval of a visa waiver for Sinn Féin representative to the US Rita O'Hare.

"There was concern at the recent refusal of a visa waiver for Rita O'Hare.

"She has been travelling to the US for some years to ensure the continuing strong US support for the Peace Process. In the time ahead, all those elements of American support — the White House Administration, Congress and Senate and Irish America will continue to have a strong and crucial role to play. We would like to thank those in the US who supported the issuing of this visa."

Unfortunately, a family bereavement has prevented Rita O'Hare from travelling to the US this week as planned to meet with Congressional members and others in Washington DC and New York.