US President Elect Joe Biden’s win ‘an overdue moment of hope’ - Ireland’s politicians send congratulations

Foyle MP and SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said that the new US administration will find in the Irish nation an ally and friend.

Biden is believed to have familial ties to county Derry through his ancestor Ambrose Finnegan, as well as ties to Louth and Mayo. He visited Ireland back in 2016 and two years earlier had met with the late deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the then First Minister Peter Robinson as Vice President in the White House during a St Patrick’s Day visit.

Last year, Democrat Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi - the third most powerful politician in the US - visited Derry and spoke in the Guildhall about how the US administration would not allow a Brexit UK-US trade deal if Ireland’s future prosperity and security was undermined as a result of the Brexit process.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood described the Democrat Party’s victory as “an overdue moment of hope that we should all celebrate”.

He said: “This result is a welcome reprieve. And it is particularly welcome because of the strong support Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and other senior Democratic leaders have shown for the primacy of the Good Friday Agreement in the context of Brexit. We now have powerful allies in the White House and in Congress who will not stand for any attempt by the British Government to renege on their international obligations in the Ireland Protocol if they want a trade deal.”

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have expressed their hope that the links of people here with the US will be further strengthened under Biden.

Mrs Foster said: “We deeply value our friendship and longstanding connections with the US and have greatly benefitted from US interest in Northern Ireland and its people. Our economic, tourism and cultural links have created opportunity and investment over many decades.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Joe Biden has strong connections with this island, and we greatly welcome his concern for the interests of our people and the protection of our peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. He will take on the presidency of the United States at one of the most critical periods we have faced, as the Brexit transition period ends and we work to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. We believe our links with the US will be hugely significant as we set about rebuilding our economy and rejuvenating our society.”

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said Ireland takes pride in Joe Biden’s election, “just as we are proud of all the generations of Irish women and Irish men and their ancestors whose toil and genius have enriched the diversity that powers America.”

Mr Martin added: “Joe Biden has always been a stalwart friend and supporter of Ireland, including of the prosperity, stability and opportunity made possible by the Good Friday Agreement, to which he has pledged his ongoing steadfast support.

“I also wish to congratulate Kamala Harris on her election as Vice-President and recognise the tremendous significance of her election to the role.

“I intend to work closely with the new Administration and the United States Congress to pursue comprehensive immigration reform, an issue that is so important to tens of thousands of Irish people making a significant contribution to America.”

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins wished President Elect Joe Biden “every good fortune” and spoke of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ “historic achievement”.

“The bonds between the peoples of Ireland and the United States are close and strong, and I look forward to our two countries working together to rebuild the much-needed trust in the methods and institutions of national and international solidarity and cooperation.”