Joe Biden tells Rishi Sunak to work 'closer' with Irish Government
Joe Biden urged the UK Government to work "closer" with the Irish Government to support Northern Ireland and ensure peace endures in a historic address this evening in Dublin.
Becoming the 4th US President to address both Houses of the Irish Parliament - the Oireachtas - Mr Biden cited the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
"Peace is precious," he insisted. "It still needs its champions. It still needs to be nurtured.
"The Good Friday Agreement didn't just change lives for the better in Northern Ireland, it had a significant positive impact across the Republic of Ireland as well.
He added: "I think that the United Kingdom should be working closer with Ireland in this endeavour. Political violence must never again be allowed to take hold on this island."
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Joe Biden, who has Irish heritage, made a remark in Irish which translates as: 'I am home' (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)In a speech attended by political leaders, architects of the 1998 peace deal, and the widow of the late Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, the US President also drew on his Irish ancestry.
"People of Ireland, it's so good to be back in Ireland," he said, making a remark in Irish which translates as: "I am home."
He also hailed the "enduring" strength of the Irish-US relationship as he promised a "future poised for unlimited shared possibilities''.
And he praised the Irish Government's vital efforts in holding the Russian President Vladimir Putin to account for his barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
The US President's remarks came after he delivered a speech in Belfast on Wednesday - marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - and expressed hopes of a return to power sharing at Stormont.
Leo Varadkar, the Irish Taoiseach, who met with President Biden yesterday (THU), said Northern Ireland can benefit from US investment if it establishes political stability.
Mr Varadkar also insisted that people "should never underestimate" the UK-US relationship and rejected any suggestion Mr Biden was "anti-British".
"He is somebody who identifies as Irish-American, who is proudly Irish, and takes an interest in Irish affairs, and his only interest really is to see not just peace sustained in Northern Ireland, but also... the institutions up and running."
Rishi Sunak was mocked after the White House scaled back the meeting with President Biden to an informal coffee yesterday (Getty Images)The Taoiseach added: "People and politicians come and go, it's institutions that underline and make sure that democracy and freedom and prosperity last for generations.
"I don't feel he is pushing any particular agenda other than what he thinks is best for the people of Northern Ireland and the people of Ireland as a whole."
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On his second day of the Republic of Ireland leg of his trip, the US President once again spoke of his pride in his Irish ancestry and his hopes for continued peace on the island.
He said that his great-grandchildren will be able to visit the country and climb an oak tree he planted on Thursday in the garden of the Irish President's home - Aras an Uachtarain.
The US President, who signed the visitors' book and rang the Bell of Peace, was also greeted by Michael D Higgins' beloved two-year-old Bernese Mountain dog.
Misneach - the Irish word for courage - briefly appeared at the gates of the Irish President's home - but refused to approach the US leader despite his appeals.
Asked what he wrote in the visitors' book, Mr Biden told reporters he quoted an Irish proverb, saying "your feet will bring you where your heart is".
Mr Biden joked: "I'm not going home, I'm staying here. Isn't this an incredible place?
"All you American reporters: looks just like the White House, right?"
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