Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The relationship between Ireland and the United States is deep, close and enduring. Successive presidents and their administrations, and Ireland's many friends on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle, have made an enormous contribution to bringing peace and economic prosperity to this island. These efforts have been greatly assisted by the distinguished individuals who have served as the President's Special Envoy on Northern Ireland, including the current esteemed incumbent Paula Dobriansky.

Following yesterday's election I congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his victory. I look forward to working with the new President and his Administration in the years ahead to underpin and deepen further the economic, cultural and social relations between the United States and Ireland. President-elect Barack Obama and Senator John McCain have both underlined during the campaign their continuing commitment to maintaining and developing relations between our two countries. Likewise, I will continue to work closely with the bi-partisan Friends of Ireland in Congress, chaired by Congressman Richard Neal.

This close co-operation is underpinned by the network of relations with members of Congress and their staff maintained by the embassy in Washington. The ambassador and his colleagues attach the highest priority to their work in this area and, following yesterday's US elections, will be active in ensuring that Ireland's interests continue to be effectively advanced with the new Administration and Congress. In this regard, the level of staffing in our missions in the United States and our honorary consul system is kept under ongoing review.

Aware of the need to constantly update the relationship and recognising the changing circumstances on both sides of the Atlantic, our ambassador in Washington has been asked by the Taoiseach to lead a strategic review of Ireland-US relations and to report on this by the end of the year. The review is intended to facilitate the further development of this important relationship and to explore how our already close ties might be further enhanced into the future. Considerable work on the review has already taken place and our ambassador in Washington has invited organisations and individuals across the United States to contribute their views.

See this speech in context