Remarks by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Vice President’s Breakfast

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Mr Vice President, Madam Second Lady, honoured guests,

Let me begin by expressing my sincere thanks to President Trump and to you, Mr Vice President, for continuing the time-honoured tradition of celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Washington DC.

Thank you, Madam Second Lady, thank you Usha, for hosting this St. Patrick’s Day breakfast in your residence.

Mary and I greatly appreciate your warm welcome and hospitality.

To some, it may seem strange that I, as Taoiseach, choose to spend our national day here in the United States. 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 17th 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.

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.

Scots-Irish emigrants, among them your forebears, Mr Vice President, played a key role in shaping this great country, and Appalachia in particular.

Many helped to build the railroads and contributed greatly to America’s prosperity.

Others brought the fiddle to meet the African banjo, blending the traditions of the immigrant communities who lived there to create something new, fresh and exciting.

I was fascinated to learn that in recent years, geologists discovered that the Appalachian trail does not begin and end in North America. Part of it is in Ireland and Britain, split millions of years ago by the movement of tectonic plates.

It is not so surprising then, that Irish and Scottish emigrants, upon arrival in the US, chose a familiar landscape on which to found their new lives.

Irish Americans continue to make their mark on America, from politics, to the arts, to business.

They have helped to sustain our people-to-people ties and make a crucial contribution to our economic relationship.

Ireland is now in the top ten as a source of foreign direct investment into the US, supporting the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people across the US.

Nowhere is the strength of the US-Irish relationship more in evidence than in our peace process.

Forty-four years ago, President Reagan called for a “just and peaceful solution” to the conflict that had for so long devastated lives on our island.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle rose to the occasion. The lasting peace we enjoy on our island today is a signature achievement of US foreign policy.

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.

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 Vice President, as I wrap up, allow me to thank you and the Second Lady once again for opening your home to us -- and through us to the people of Ireland.

You have made us feel right at home in this splendid house on this, our first St Patrick’s Day together.

And I hope that you will allow us to return the honour. I have been told that our small island holds a special place in your shared memories, as you and Usha enjoyed a road trip in Ireland some years back, visiting the Ring of Kerry, Skibbereen, Cashel and Dublin.

We would be honoured and delighted to welcome you both back to our shores before too long.

Mr Vice-President, I know you are partial to a round of golf.

We have some exceptional courses in Ireland, one of which - in a remote and beautiful part of Ireland called Doonbeg - President Trump could tell you a thing or two about playing.

Mr Vice-President, Madam Second Lady, Mary and I thank you once again for your hospitality.

And we thank you for your friendship.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.