For US presidents a stop in Ireland -- particularly if an election is in the offing -- makes a great photo op, but for some critics George W. Bush's visit this week is a bit too opportunistic.

"The Bush gang is coming to Ireland for one reason and one reason only, and that is to try and influence the votes of some of the 30 million people in the United States who claim Irish ancestry," said Socialist member of parliament Joe Higgins.

Bush is following in the footsteps of four other presidents with some claim to Irish origin. John F. Kennedy was the first in 1963, followed by Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, who paid three visits while in office.

"For many Americans, coming to Ireland is like coming home," said Ronald Reagan, when he came here in 1984. "That is certainly true in my case."

The ostensible reason for Bush's trip on Friday is a mini-summit meeting with members of the European Union, which should have been held in Washington this year according to the normal calendar of events.

Critics say the White House insisted on the meeting being held here so that Bush could have his picture taken against the backdrop of Ireland's green hills. They say the government should have insisted on moving the summit meeting to Brussels.

"The location of the summit in Ireland is in fact an elaborate electioneering stunt designed to appeal to Irish-American voters," said Proinsias de Rossa.

The taoiseach, or prime minister, Bertie Ahern, has been attempting to counter the opposition to the visit by recalling in an opinion-page piece published by the Irish Times that nearly 500 American companies employeeing 90,000 people have set up shop in Ireland.

Ahern said the US presidency "is an office that is well respected in this country and in Europe and one that is part of the free and democratic world."

Nevertheless, several groups opposing the visit have urged anti-Bush demonstrations Friday and Saturday, prompting Ahern to appeal them to call off the protests.

"The US is friendly towards Ireland and has given employment and a good life to millions of people," he said.

Bush has never visited the Irish Republic, although he did go to Belfast in Northern Ireland in April, 2003.