Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates will visit Ireland tomorrow and will meet President Michael D Higgins and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Mr Gates's visit, coming at the start of Ireland's EU presidency, offered an opportunity "for an exchange of views on ways to advance development and improve the lives of the world’s poorest people".

"The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a key partner for Ireland in combating hunger and global poverty, which is a central objective of Ireland’s development programme, Irish Aid," the Department said.

It said the Gates Foundation and Ireland "collaborate closely in addressing hunger, improving nutrition and health and combating HIV/Aids.

The foundation has spent over $25 billion on development initiatives in over 100 countries.

Mr Gates will meet the Tánaiste early tomorrow morning and he will later be received by Mr Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.