TAOISEACH Micheál Martin hailed America as a ‘steadfast friend of Ireland’ in a speech during a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
Mr Martin and his wife Mary met with Mr Vance and his wife Usha at the Vice President’s residence in Washington for a breakfast this morning.
Mr Martin is visiting the US for St Patrick’s Day and cited the country as being the birthplace of modern St Patrick’s celebrations.
Meanwhile, Mr Vance hailed the relationship between the countries as one of the world’s ‘great alliances’.
‘Deep and enduring bonds’
In his speech, the Taoiseach explained the relevance of visiting America to mark the Irish holiday.
“To some, it may seem strange that I, as Taoiseach, choose to spend our national day here in the United States,” he said.
“But as you may know, Mr Vice President, St Patrick’s Day, as it is celebrated today with great fanfare and flourish, began here in the United States.
“In times long past, Irish emigrants, far from hearth and home, marked the day in memory of the families they had left behind.
“Over time, the celebrations grew in strength and number, and today we are deeply proud that March 17 is a day to showcase our rich culture and great friendship from across the world.
“The United States has been a steadfast friend of Ireland’s for centuries.
Mr Vance and Mr Martin chat during Wednesday’s breakfast (Image: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)“Indeed, the United States was the first country to recognise our long-sought independence.
“Last year we marked 100 years of Irish-US diplomatic relations.
“Together we have built deep and enduring political, cultural and economic bonds, greatly enriching our two nations in the process.
“First and foremost, our kinship was built upon the ties between our people, especially the generations of Irish who made their homes here.”
Mr Vance, meanwhile, described the breakfast as a chance to ‘remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland’.
He added: “We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this moment of friendship between the United States and Ireland and really cement what is one of the great alliances and the great friendships between nations in the world.”
‘Continue to stand together’
As he would do in his meeting with President Donald Trump later in the day, the Taoiseach praised the role America played in securing peace in Northern Ireland.
That experience of bringing an end to the Troubles would serve both Ireland and the US well in now trying to achieve peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“The lasting peace we enjoy on our island today is a signature achievement of US foreign policy,” said Mr Martin.
“This story of peace is one we wrote together.
“We know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task.
“We are ready to play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace, whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine.
“I welcome the focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to the task from his very first days in office.
Mr Vance and his wife Usha Vance welcome Mr Martin and his wife Mary O’Shea to the Vice President’s residence (Image: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)“As it has always been, the US remains an indispensable partner and global actor.
“Mr Vice President, I know we care deeply about the world our children and our children’s children inherit.
“And I know that the US and Ireland will continue to stand together, working tirelessly to secure a future that offers the promise of peace and prosperity.”
Mr Martin concluded by inviting Mr Vance to return to Ireland, where he previously holidayed with his wife.
The Vice President described the country as a ‘remarkable combination of incredible community… of beautiful landscape but also a lot of interesting technological growth’.
He suggested the two countries were best placed to work together on the latter, ‘particularly artificial intelligence, as we really take the next stage in an important level of technological progress’.