Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The former Taoiseach visited Boston and Washington DC for a programme of engagements to mark St. Patrick’s Day. In Boston, he met with Governor Maura Healey with whom he discussed bilateral economic opportunities, particularly in the life sciences field as well as educational and research links, and tourism. He visited the JFK Presidential Library and Museum where he met Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s grandson, and the US special envoy to Northern Ireland for economic development, Joe Kennedy III. He delivered a keynote address which spoke of President Kennedy’s legacy, taking the opportunity to set out Ireland’s clear position on the situation in the Middle East. He also reflected on the Kennedy family’s contribution to the cause of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

The programme included a number of economic and Irish community events, including the Ireland Funds Young Leaders St. Patrick’s Day gala event and the annual Irish-American Partnership St. Patrick’s Day breakfast.

He also helped launch JetBlue airline’s two new routes between the US and Ireland - Boston to Dublin and New York to Dublin. These will provide even more air connections between the US and Ireland, helping to create more opportunities for the tourism sector.

In Washington DC, the former Taoiseach attended the annual St. Patrick’s Day National Gala hosted by the Ireland Funds. He had several important economic engagements, supported by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. He presented the Science Foundation Ireland St. Patrick’s Day medal to Dr. Eamonn Keogh, the distinguished professor of computer science at the University of California, and Mr. John Hartnett, founder and CEO of SVG Ventures. In an address to the US Chamber of Commerce he spoke about the deep, dynamic and two-way trade and investment links between Ireland and the US.

The former Taoiseach attended the traditional St. Patrick's Day breakfast with the Vice President and the Second Gentleman. He had a bilateral meeting with President Biden, at which important aspects of the US-Irish relationship, developments in Northern Ireland and global issues, including the Middle East, were discussed.

Other political engagements included the Speaker’s lunch on Capitol Hill, meetings with Speaker Johnson and the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, and the annual St. Patrick’s Day reception in the White House at which the President was presented with the traditional bowl of shamrock.

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