Introduction
Mr. Speaker,
Mr. President, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore,
First Minister and deputy First Minister,
Members of Congress, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
It’s a great honour to celebrate Ireland’s National Day with friends here on Capitol Hill. When our partnership government took office two years ago the task was daunting, but one which we grasped with determination. Rescuing our economy, restoring our reputation, getting our people back to work. As with all good friends, you stood firmly with us. 105 weeks later, I’m happy to bring good news amid the shamrock.
Our economy is stable and growing, thanks in no small part to the pragmatism, patience, sacrifice and spirit of the Irish people. In fact, we’re now entering our third consecutive-year of economic growth. Our return to the bond markets has been more successful than we could have hoped. International confidence in Ireland, once so shaken, has been restored.
It’s in an auspicious time then that we hold the current Presidency of the European Union. Advancing external trade, particularly with the US – is part of our urgent agenda. A Transatlantic Trade-and-Investment Partnership between Europe and the US will impact powerfully on exports, investment and jobs on both sides. In his state of the Union address, President Obama endorsed it strongly. And as we say in Irish, tus maith leath na hoibre. A good start is half the work.
Northern Ireland
I want to thank the Members of Congress from both parties for the hugely important work you do for and in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, recent months have seen worrying trends there… violent protests over flags, increased dissident activity, political criticism of the police, judiciary and Parades Commission.
I met with Prime Minister Cameron in London last week. We discussed the North at some length and we restated our commitment to the values, principles and institutions of the Good Friday and Saint Andrews Agreements. We also agreed that if we are to avoid slipping back towards darker days then the elected leaders must work, not just for one or other side, but jointly for all of the people together.
As we approach the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, I ask you to maintain the support you have always shown to Northern Ireland. But I also ask you to join me in insisting that the political leaders recommit to working together to respect and fully implement the Agreements for a peaceful and prosperous society for all. The people deserve nothing less.
Immigration reform
And your efforts don’t stop here. You now turn to immigration reform in the pursuit of the DREAM and so much more. Your dream, your vision, is being followed by the Irish across America and indeed at home.
It’s of interest and import not only to families of current immigrants. But to the descendants of those immigrants who helped build and transform America economically, politically, socially. To Congress who are engaged in such important work, we wish you success. Because, after all, St. Patrick in whose honour we gather here today was himself an immigrant.
Gathering & JFK commemorations
No country, no people, have the ties that we share. Later this year we’ll be gathering to commemorate the loyalty of President Kennedy as we mark the 50th anniversary of his homecoming. In his words on his visit to Ireland that fateful year, 1963, ‘we are divided by distance…united by history’.
In The Gathering 2013 we invite our Irish Americans and friends to experience this shared history, and all that is unique and precious about Ireland.
Conclusion
I’ll conclude with a few more words from President Kennedy to the Irish people…
‘…dream of things that never were, and ask why not’.
I know that America and Ireland together remain faithful to his hope for tomorrow.
Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig oraibh go léir.