Derry & Strabane Council to invite Biden and Harris to visit north west

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris stand onstage after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 7, 2020, after being declared the winners of the presidential election. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The proposal was made by SDLP Councillor and chair of council’s Business & Culture committee, Rory Farrell at a meeting of the committee earlier this week as speculation mounts the President Elect may visit Ireland.

Addressing the committee on Tuesday, Councillor Farrell said: “I don’t think anybody will have missed the news that America is going to have a new president come January.

Joe Biden in particular has well-documented Irish roots. He’s been a great friend to Ireland over the years and he’s been a steadfast supporter of the Good Friday Agreement over the years, and more recently in the context of Brexit.

“He said that there will be no US-UK trade deal if the Tory government messes around with Brexit, messes around the Good Friday Agreement, messes around with the Withdrawal Agreement or the Ireland Protocol. So, I think it’s important that we send out that message that we support the new president and that we invite him to our council area. We would hope that he takes us up on that offer.”

Colr. Farrell said he was also mindful of the amount of American businesses in the council area such as All State, Seagate and Invista who have “created wealth and opportunity for people across this council area”.

The proposal was supported by all committee members, with the exception of DUP members who abstained on the vote.

Seconding the proposal, SDLP Councillor Shauna Cusack said: “I do think it is important due to that special relationship, due to the commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, due to the previous commitments of previous Democratic Presidents, and investment over here and making sure that that continues.

“Let’s hope something very positive comes from that, especially with Brexit looming - we are all going to be at sea and any allies we have are greatly appreciated.”

While not a member of the committee and therefore unable to vote on the proposal, People Before Profit Councillor Eamonn McCann said he was delighted to see the back of Donald Trump, but expressed concern at unbridled euphoria expressed across Ireland at Joe Biden’s election. He urged that a more measured and critical assessment was needed, including in relation to concerns raised by those on the left of the Democratic Party in the US.