Biden news today: UK should work closer with Ireland to keep peace, says US president

Joe Biden namechecked fellow Irish-Catholic president John F Kennedy when he addressed the Irish parliament.

The legacy of Mr Kennedy, who addressed a joint sitting of the Dail and Seanad in 1963, was reached for on quite a lot of events by Mr Biden in the course of the historic handle.

Mr Biden, who like his predecessor has made little secret of his pleasure in his Irish roots, advised parliamentarians: “Now we have the ability to construct a greater future.”

He mentioned that 60 years in the past the “first Irish-Catholic president of america made a historic journey right here talking to this meeting and capturing the imaginations of Irish and Irish-American households alike”.

“When John Kennedy addressed parliament, the honour of the greater than 150,000 Irish immigrants who joined the military of the North throughout America’s Civil Struggle – and amongst them, one or two of them had been my family as effectively – they signed up in a brand new land, to face for previous values, to defend freedom and the dignity of all individuals.”

Joe Biden has arrived on the State Residences at Dublin Fort for a banquet dinner in his honour.

The occasion is being hosted by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and can begin with a reception within the Portrait Gallery adopted by the dinner in St Patrick’s Corridor.

Mr Varadkar greeted Mr Biden on the pink carpet on his arrival.

Joe Biden mentioned Eire has one of the best poets on the planet and quoted Seamus Heaney within the Dail.

The US president’s handle to the Irish Parliament coincided with the late Nobel Laureate’s birthday.

Mr Biden thanked Mr Heaney’s widow Marie for a signed copy of his work, and added: “I used to be at all times quoting Irish poetry in america Senate over my profession.

“It’s an extended profession – 36 years. And my colleagues at all times thought I did it as a result of I used to be Irish. That’s not the rationale, they’ve one of the best poets on the planet.”

He mentioned his favorite poem was “The Remedy At Troy” and browse a quote.

“He wrote, ‘Don’t hope on this facet of the grave. However then, as soon as in a lifetime, that longed-for tidal wave of justice can stand up and hope and historical past rhyme’,” Mr Biden mentioned.

“It’s every little thing I’ve been taught, stand up. We’ve, prior to now, made hope and historical past rhyme.

“So right this moment, girls and gents, as we rejoice the enduring partnership between our nations, our shared previous, our current, let’s set our eyes squarely on the longer term.”

Joe Biden closed his speech to the Irish parliament with a plea for peace sooner or later.

“It doesn’t matter what celebration we belong to, our values are the identical. It’s about honesty, dignity, justice and also you all have each ingredient to make it work.

“It’s an honour to be right here. Thanks very a lot,” he mentioned earlier than receiving a standing ovation.

Britain needs to be working nearer with Eire to maintain peace in Northern Eire, Joe Biden mentioned in an handle to the Dail.

The US president mentioned the Good Friday Settlement, signed 25 years in the past, “nonetheless wants champions”.

“We should always remember that peace has develop into a lived actuality for a complete era of younger individuals,” he mentioned, including: “Peace is treasured.”

After years of uncertainty in Northern Eire attributable to Brexit, the president mentioned: “I feel that the UK needs to be working nearer with Eire and this ever this endeavour. Political violence isn’t going to be allowed to take maintain on this island.”

Persevering with his handle to the Irish parliament, Joe Biden mentioned: “At the moment, I’d wish to replicate on the enduring energy of the connections between Eire and america. A partnership for the ages begins in our shared historical past, courting again to the very founding of america.

“The Irish hearts that helped kindle the torch of liberty and my nation and fireplace its revolutionary spirit, the Irish blood from throughout this island that was willingly given for my nation’s independence.

“The Irish palms that laid the foundations of a brand new form of future. One from the underside up and the center out one constructed on freedom.”

The US president went on: “I at all times have a bit of little bit of Eire shut by after I’m in Washington. Within the Oval Workplace. I’ve the rugby ball signed by the Irish rugby group the ball the group performed after they beat the All Blacks in authorities.”

Yesterday, Mr Biden made a significant gaffe when he mistakenly referred to the All Blacks because the Black and Tans; the previous the New Zealand nationwide rugby group and the latter a reputation for British reserve troops within the Irish Struggle of Independence.

He added: “My cousin, one in every of Eire’s best rugby stars Rob Kennedy introduced it to DC on St Patrick’s Day in 2022 to provide me and I didn’t play rugby besides after I was out of college out of regulation faculty. And I didn’t play very effectively we performed in a rugby membership. However I did play American soccer, the few different sports activities however I realised that, you recognize, you guys are all nuts. “

Joe Biden’s first phrases as he took the stand to deal with the Irish parliament: “Nicely Mother, you mentioned it could occur.”

He went on to apologise to the toddler baby of an viewers member for “havign to hearken to the coverage speech of an American president.”