The Taoiseach has said that Joe Biden’s visit to Ireland will be an opportunity to look ahead to the hope and opportunity of the next 25 years, a quarter of a century on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking to media this evening, Leo Varadkar said that it would be a privilege to welcome home a great Irish-American US President.
The White House earlier confirmed that President Biden will arrive on the island of Ireland next Tuesday 11 April, in a visit which will include trips to Dublin, Mayo and Louth.
Mr Biden has accepted an invitation to address a Joint Sitting of the Dáil and Seanad next Thursday, the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail told TDs and Senators this evening.
It has also been confirmed that Mr Biden will deliver a public address outside St Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, Co Mayo on Friday. This event is free and open to the public.
Relations between Ireland and the US have never been better and “this is an opportunity to cement that,” the Taoiseach said.
He added that the visit “can only help” with efforts to restore the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland.
Mr Varadkar said security would definitely form part of the discussions with President Biden because Ireland and the US are allies and face similar threats in terms of cyber-attacks.
He said it is his understanding that US First Lady Jill Biden will not travel to Ireland for the visit.
Mr Biden will begin his visit by first travelling to Belfast to mark the “tremendous progress” since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.
The White House said the President’s visit will also “underscore the readiness” of the United States to support Northern Ireland’s “vast economic potential to the benefit of all communities”.
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From next Wednesday until Friday, Mr Biden will hold various engagements in counties Dublin, Louth and Mayo, during which he will discuss the US’ “close cooperation” with Ireland on “the full range of shared global challenges”.
He will also deliver an address to celebrate the “deep, historic ties” that link Ireland and the US.
The official visit may include Government receptions for President Biden at Farmleigh House and Dublin Castle.
The US president will also call to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Michael D Higgins.
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President Biden can trace his ancestry to Ireland’s west and east coasts, specifically Ballina in Co Mayo and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth.
His great-great-grandfather Owen Finnegan emigrated to the US from the Cooley peninsula, while another great-great-grandfather, Patrick Blewitt, was born in Ballina, left in 1850 to sail to America.
In a statement the White House said the visit would mark the tremendous progress made since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and would underscore the readiness of the United States to support Northern Ireland’s vast economic potential.
Additional reporting PA
Biden visit will ‘cement’ relations with US – Taoiseach
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