A visit to Ireland from US President Joe Biden is officially on the cards, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has revealed.
Speaking after a virtual St Patrick’s Day meeting with the President, An Taoiseach said no date had been set but that Joe Biden is keen to return to the land that his great-great grandparents hailed from:
“We didn’t get any specifics on that [the date], but he is anxious to come to Ireland and I think when the opportunity arises I think he’ll take that opportunity,” An Taoiseach told Newstalk.
A great pleasure to meet you @POTUS Biden today, to reaffirm the warm and deep bonds between our two nations.
We share with you the horror of the barbaric attack on the civilians of Ukraine, and salute your leadership as democracies unite in response to this immoral war. pic.twitter.com/wd0Q7p5Tjv— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 17, 2022
Traditionally, St Patrick’s Day in Washington involves the President hosting the Taoiseach in the Oval Office, a bowl of shamrocks is offered as a gift and both politicians and the press alike are decked out in green.
In 2021, the pandemic meant Taoiseach Micheál Martin beamed into the event virtually and while this year Mr Martin did fly out to Washington DC, a positive COVID test result meant he was unable to attend the ceremony in person.
“I feel good,” he confirmed.
“Of course I’m disappointed personally but it’s not the end of the world and we have to keep things in perspective… And thanks to God we have the quality of videoconferencing that we now have and the capacity to have these meetings. And I don’t believe that the meeting was in any way impaired as a result.”
Praise for Ireland
As a proud Irish American, Joe Biden was typically effusive about Ireland and praised the Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis as "noticeable and impressive":
“Everybody talks about Germany having stepped up and changed motions about being more leaning forward and they have, so has Ireland, a neutral country," Mr Biden said.
"Ireland has stepped up and taken a hit for what they’re doing.”
He continued:
"What Ireland is doing now, what you are doing, taking in Ukrainian refugees, speak so loudly about your principles.
"And it's amazing and I want to publicly compliment you for it.
"I think you've already brought in over 7,000 or so refugees from Ukraine, and you're prepared to do more. So thank you."
I had the honor of meeting Riverdance today at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/aOXQ4r2GNF
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 17, 2022
The pair also discussed the peace process in Northern Ireland and the President said his administration remains supportive of the Good Friday Agreement:
"The United States stands ready to work with all the communities of Northern Ireland to ensure its extraordinary economic potential and ensure that it's realised,” he said.
“And we look forward to supporting the next Northern Ireland Executive after the upcoming Assembly elections, which are on their way.”
Main image: President Joe Biden participates in a virtual bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)
