Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon, hosted by US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, in Washington, DC today, Wednesday, March 12.
The luncheon comes after the Taoiseach met with US Vice President JD Vance for breakfast and a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House.
Both the President and the US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson spoke before the Taoiseach delivered his remarks during the luncheon.
The Taoiseach said he is "honored" to continue the tradition of the Friends of Ireland luncheon.
Paying tribute to the co-chairs of the Friends of Ireland Caucus, the Taoiseach said Congressman Richie Neal and Congressman Mike Kelly's "bold leadership and vision unites Irish American members from both sides of the aisle through the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus."
He continued: "Throughout our Troubles, the friends of Ireland, Republican and Democrat alike, held fast to a vision of Ireland not marred by violence or terror.
"You worked unrelentingly to realize that fragile hope. You stood shoulder to shoulder with us, no matter how fierce the challenge, and there were many such challenges.
"And it is that same determination that together we must devote to today's conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East.
"And our shared history teaches us that peace, however elusive it may sometimes seem, is achievable. Its promise remains within our grasp.
"Mr. President, we are forever grateful for the United States' contribution to transforming our island, and we wish you well in the efforts that you are making to bring peace to Ukraine and to the Middle East and further afield.
"We thank you for your leadership and indeed your ongoing friendship to Ireland."
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