Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin have paid tribute to Joe Biden after the US President announced that he would drop out of the 2024 presidential election.
On Sunday, Biden announced that he would not be seeking re-election, stating that it was in the "best interest" of the Democratic Party if he dropped out of the election.
Biden added that he will now focus on fulfilling his duties as president for the remainder of his term and said he would address the nation later in the week to talk about his decision in greater detail.
Speaking after Biden's announcement on Sunday, Harris said the US President has been "a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions" during his term in office.
"On behalf of the people and government of Ireland. I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US Presidential election," Harris said in a statement.
"The world has changed since President Biden’s victory in 2020 and we have had to face extraordinary challenges from a global pandemic to the return of war to the continent of Europe with the horrific full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia which has deliberately targeted and killed innocent civilians.
"President Biden has been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism, and shared solutions."
Harris praised Biden for his stance on the war in Ukraine in addition to the President's ceasefire plan for Gaza, which Harris described as the "only way on the table to stop the humanitarian catastrophe."
"I am glad the President will continue his focus on this in the weeks and months ahead."
The Taoiseach also praised Biden's commitment to Ireland, describing the president as a "proud American with an Irish soul".
"Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this.
"On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth, and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home.
"The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home.
"Mr President, Ireland will protect the piece of your son Beau’s legacy that you left in County Mayo at Mayo Hospice."
My statement on US President @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024
Martin, meanwhile, described Biden as an "abiding friend of Ireland" and praised the president for contributing to peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland.
"His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best," Martin wrote in a post on X.
I heard the news of President Biden’s decision with both sadness & admiration.
He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/pbamsn5Tmx
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 21, 2024
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