Video: US President Barack Obama welcomes Irish Prime Minister Kenny to the White House US President Barack Obama met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny at the White House on Tuesday, where the two leaders expressed their commitment to continued US and Ireland relations. "We are continuing to identify and describe additional areas where we can strengthen those strong economic bonds and I expressed to the Taoiseach my confidence in not only his government's ability to get Ireland moving again but also we consulted on the broader issue of how Europe can begin to grow again which obviously has an impact on our economy," Mr Obama said. Mr Kenny said they discussed at length the Irish economy. I gave the President a run down on the changes in the structure of banks, decisions taking by the government in terms of public sector numbers, the forcing down of costs and therefore the increase in competitiveness and to report to him signs of confidence returning to the Irish economy. But we still have a very long way to go but there was a very good, solid start but clearly there are challenges ahead. Mr Obama and Mr Kenny planned to celebrate an extended St Patrick's Day later in the afternoon at a luncheon on Capitol Hill.