The US Ambassador to Ireland has said President Barack Obama is planning a return visit to Ireland after he leaves the White House.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Marian Finucane Show, Kevin O'Malley said Mr Obama is keen on returning to Ireland, five years after visiting his ancestral home in Moneygall, Co Offaly.
The ambassador said he expects the trip to happen within the next 12 months.
He also discussed the end of his tenure in Ireland and his return to the United States when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on 20 January.
"The last sentence that the President said to me on Wednesday of this week when we were saying goodbye was 'please tell them I'm coming'.
"So I think that's the president's way of saying informally that you'll probably see him again. My guess is in the coming year or so."
Mr O’Malley also said that he did not believe there was resentment in the United States for companies who are involved in foreign direct investment.
He said that during Mr Obama's time in the White House, employment halved in the US to just over 4%, which is almost full employment.
