Taoiseach Enda Kenny is due to hold bi-lateral talks with the Italian prime minister Enrico Letta in Rome today.

The discussions are likely to focus on the Irish EU presidency, economic challenges facing both countries, the EU’s budget for the period 2014 to 2020 and EU-US transatlantic trade.

During his visit Mr Kenny will also visit Bobbio Basilica, which holds the remains of its founder St Columbanus.

The Irish missionary founded the abbey in 614.