Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we know, Ireland enjoys a close relationship with the USA. The Taoiseach said that it is deep and long-standing. This relationship has been further enhanced with the election of Joe Biden as President. President Biden never misses an opportunity to proclaim his Irish roots. It is important for the Irish Government to engage with the US administration, with President Biden and with members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate. We need to engage on a number of issues, including the need for their ongoing support for the Northern Ireland peace process and the issues associated with that, which include Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol. We also need to continue to foster US investment in Ireland. Finally, there are the matters of concern to the Irish community living in the US, in particular to the undocumented Irish.

I hope the Taoiseach will travel to Washington for St. Patrick's Day and will meet President Biden. In the event that this occurs, what issues does the Taoiseach hope to raise with him? I presume these would be national, bilateral and international issues. Just as important, where stands the long-standing invitation to President Biden to visit Ireland? There have been press reports that he will be coming in July and that he will address both Houses of the Oireachtas. I presume that is speculation. Any information the Taoiseach could give us in that regard would be appreciated.

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