The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said his visit to the United States this week is to deliver the message that Ireland's plan for economic recovery is working.

He made the remarks before he marched in the St Patrick's day parade on fifth avenue in New York.

Earlier he held a meeting with New York's Mayor Micheal Bloomberg who said Ireland had displayed a "miraculous recovery" under Enda Kenny's leadership.

Speaking in New York Enda Kenny said the St Patrick's Day visits of Government Ministers were an important way to spread a positive message about Ireland.