US president Joe Biden plans to offer financial support for Northern Ireland

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, landed in Northern Ireland and was greeted by UK prime minister Rishi Sunak at his arrival in Northern Ireland on April 11th.

Biden’s arrival to Ireland helps to celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement and to continue the effort of peace in Northern Ireland.

Welcome, @POTUS. pic.twitter.com/KxdIjfEjSi

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 11, 2023

Biden promises to continue to support Northern Ireland and to provide new financial support for peace and connection as long as efforts are made on both ends.

This allyship is dependent on the work done by Northern Ireland and the UK, such as with power-sharing at Stormont. The Windsor Framework has to be implemented along with the Executive, by allowing Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Féin to serve as First Minister.

Biden mentioned during his address at Ulster University, “It’s good to see Belfast a city that’s alive with commerce, art, and, I’d argue, inspiration.

"Dividends of peace are all around us and this very campus is situated at an intersection of where conflict and bloodshed once held terrible sway.”

Join me in Belfast as I deliver remarks marking 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement and our support for economic growth that benefits all communities. https://t.co/Xy30Yo564N

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 12, 2023

The financial support from the US is hoping to appease the tensions in Northern Ireland and hopefully be utilised to convince the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to help resolve the matter.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin mentioned how Ireland and the UK aim to work together and to do what Biden is “keenly interested in.”

Martin mentioned, “We stand ready to work with a newly restored Executive, and for the Irish Government to work with the British government to develop an economic platform for Northern Ireland over the next number of years.”

Spokesman for the National Security Council Admiral John Kirby mentioned, “President Biden cares deeply about Northern Ireland and has a long history of supporting peace and prosperity there. As a senator, Joe Biden was an advocate for how the United States can play a constructive role supporting peace.”

The trip is not just inclusive of Northern Ireland, as President Biden will also be visiting Áras an Uachtaráin to greet President Michael D. Higgins.

Biden will also journey to his ancestral grounds in Louth where his great-grandfather James Finnegan grew up before travelling to America.

Kirby also shared how “comfortable” the president is with doing this trip and how he looks forward to celebrating the deep connections between Ireland and the United States.

The president emphasised that regardless of one’s political party in the states, representatives wants the Good Friday Agreement to remain in place.

To the young people of Northern Ireland –

Your history is our history.
Your future is our future.

It’s hard to communicate just how deeply invested in your success people across the United States are.

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 12, 2023

While the financial support will have to go through Congress, the clear relationship between the United States and Ireland is unquestionable.

Kirby stated, “The president is very much looking forward to the trip and to celebrating the deep, historic ties that our two countries and our two people continue to share.”