Hillary Clinton set to visit NI

Hillary Clinton is planning to come to Northern Ireland within weeks

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is planning to visit Northern Ireland on 12 October.

The planned trip was announced by the Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward during his speech to the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

He said Mrs Clinton wanted to come to "help look at the jobs, opportunities and investment that American can bring to Northern Ireland".

She made a number of visits while her husband Bill was president.

'Attractive'

Meanwhile, the new US economic envoy to Northern Ireland has met the first and deputy first ministers at Stormont.

Declan Kelly's visit came a day after a sharp exchange of words between Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson over the devolution of justice powers.

Mr Kelly said he was confident that the two men could resolve their latest differences.

He said it was not his role to get involved in Northern Ireland politics but added: "It is fair to say that the US administration is anxious to ensure that there is an environment created for inward investment in Northern Ireland.

"Clearly, stability and progress in the political institutions is a key element of that."