An Taoiseach is in California today for the second leg of his US trip.

Brian Cowen will hold talks with the president of Standford University and launch a new Irish innovation centre aimed at helping startup technology companies.

Meanwhile, last night the Taoiseach said there are no immediate plans for a visit to Ireland by the US President Barack Obama.

Newspaper reports last week suggested Mr Obama was planning a trip in June.

However Brian Cowen who’s meeting the President next Wednesday said that while there’s an open invitation for him to come to Ireland – no such visit has been arranged as of yet.