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Mr. Speaker,
Mr. President,
Members of Congress, Friends of Ireland,
Distinguished Guests
Is cúis áthais dom, bheith anseo libh inniu.
Ar son rialtais agus muintir na hÉireann. Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for your kind invitation to join you this afternoon, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with so many friends of Ireland, in this magnificent setting.
This is a very special occasion for me. I worked here on Capitol Hill in the summer of 2000, as an intern for Congressman Jack Quinn of Buffalo, New York, who I know is a friend to many of you here.
It is a great honour for me to return eighteen years later as leader of the Irish Government. This is a place which helped me develop my view of the world, and spurred me to pursue a career in public service. Today, in my office, I still keep a US flag which flew over the capital and was presented to me back then.
I want to begin by thanking our host Speaker Paul Ryan, who is a longstanding friend of Ireland, and who proudly traces his roots to Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny. We had a chance meeting some years ago where he and his beautiful family visited the Irish Senate.
I want to also thank President Trump for taking the time to be here with us today, continuing the remarkable tradition which was started back in 1983 by two great Irish-Americans, Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill.
I want to thank Congress and the White House for your indispensable and steadfast support for the Northern Ireland Peace Process over the years.
The members of the ‘Friends of Ireland’ caucus, so ably led by Congressmen Peter King and Richie Neal, have played a vital role. And the United States has been our steadfast partner. I know that you continue to stand resolutely with us as we work to ensure the beating heart of the Good Friday Agreement – its institutions – are restored and function properly. A Power-Sharing Executive, a cross-community Assembly, and north-south bodies.
Mr. Speaker, immigration reform is a matter of long-standing concern in Ireland, especially for the families and friends of those Irish people who are currently undocumented.
I appreciate the complexity and sensitivity of the political debate here. However, I might simply highlight their situation – hardworking, law-abiding, tax-paying Irish men and women who share your hopes and your values, who are patriotic and loyal to America – and urge a sympathetic look at this issue. And I thank you for working with my envoy, John Deasy, on this matter.
It is a source of great pride to all of us to see the continuing powerful tradition of Irish American representation at the highest level in this country. Thank you all for your continued interest in, and affection for, Ireland.
Mr Speaker, Mr. President, Friends of Ireland.
There is an ancient piece of Irish wisdom which says that the greatest blessing comes to those who turn strangers into friends, and friends into family. For centuries we have been each other’s family and that is the blessing of the Irish-American relationship.
Long may it continue.
Thank you.