The US President Barack Obama has told the Taoiseach he is planning to appoint a new Ambassador for Ireland - but he is not sure how long the process will take.

The last US Ambassador - Dan Rooney - resigned from the post 15 months ago. Enda Kenny is in the United States as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

He says he raised the issue of an ambassador with the President when he met him at the White House.

The Taoiseach also said said President Obama expressed disappointment that Northern Ireland peace talks were not complete.

Mr. Kenny said all sides want the talks to be completed.

The Taoiseach started the day with breakfast at the home of Vice President Joe Biden, before he met Mr. Obama for private talks. He was expected to raise the issue of immigration reform for non-documented Irish citizens in the US.

He was also speak about the stabilisation of Ireland's economic path in recent months, and discuss the progress of the EU-US free trade agreement talks which were set in motion during the Irish Presidency of the EU.

He will also give a speech at Capitol Hill before presenting the traditional bowl of Shamrock to the President at the annual St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House.

But though Enda Kenny might be out of the country for the national holiday, he left something for us on YouTube: