It's a positive for Ireland, that an Irish Taoiseach has access to the highest levels of US political power on St. Patrick's Day. On Tuesday, President Obama announced the nomination of 76-year old Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, as the US ambassador to Ireland, in the presence of Brian Cowen, at the White House. Obama called Rooney "an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture and education," while Cowen, who at home has been singularly inept during the economic crisis, has worked wonders during his US trip and produced an export bonanza worth €100m. People may wonder why Irish ministers shouldn't spend more time abroad attending business signing ceremonies after engineering miraculous manna-like drops from heaven!