Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte is fiche roimh Richard Neal. Is ócáid iontach é i gcónaí nuair a thagann teachtaí ó na Stáit Aontaithe chuig an tír seo. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil siad anseo inniu agus cuirim fáilte rompu uilig. Gabhaim buíochas leo as an méid atá á dhéanamh acu ar son na tíre seo. I am very happy to welcome Congressman Neal. It is always a special occasion when we welcome American politicians to this country. We are so grateful for all that America is and all it continues to do, in particular to advance and continue the important work of the peace process. Others have spoken about the important issues facing us at present and I echo everything they have said. I will take this opportunity on behalf of the Seanad Independent Group to thank him and the other members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland present today and at home for all they are doing and to wish them continued success in their efforts on our behalf.

It is perhaps a measure of American's greatness, and the importance of the familial ties between our countries, that we in Ireland feel we have a stake in America and feel ready to criticise it at times as well as to praise it. There are those who criticise America very unreasonably and seem to forget what the world would be like without it. There is then the criticism that comes from friends because it is a measure of true friendship that one can be constructive in one's criticism at times. I think of that wonderful song "America the Beautiful" by Katherine Lee Bates:

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

I think about that in these days because we need a strong America in the world, an America that is a shining city on the hill, and a beacon for democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and civility in political debate. All these things are highly important, especially now at a time when we see where the other superpowers in the world are going. We all need to hope that America finds its balance so it can give the leadership in the world we need at this time.

I have to tell Congressman Neal that many people here, and I am sure many in his country, are distressed by the disunity we sometimes see there now, such as the coarseness that has entered US politics in recent years, the violent protests of 6 January and the 476 riots that took place in the context of the Black Lives Matter protests and, indeed, the recent protests at the homes of justices of the US Supreme Court. We need a strong America. We need an America giving leadership in the world where this does not happen because others will point to America's flaws and use that to justify their far greater depredations on humanity. We encourage Congressman Neal as he gives leadership. We can also say many of us respect the diversity in US debate. There is sometimes a groupthink in this country and in Europe. There is a balance to be struck between groupthink, on the one hand, and excessive discord, on the other, we might say.

I will conclude by asking Congressman Neal to take one thing home with him. He will have heard it from others. It is not to do with Northern Ireland. As we think about the conflict in Ukraine, we are facing into a frightening situation if the grain Ukraine is producing that is so vital for the poorest and the poorer countries in the world does not get out of that country in the coming weeks. I do not know how that is to be solved, but I pray that America can use its position of great power to try to help find a solution so we are not facing appalling hunger and starvation in the Middle East and in places such as Egypt, north Africa and south-east Asia. We ask Congressman Neal and his colleagues not just to take our Irish agenda, which they are all serving so nobly and well, but to remember that situation as well. I know I say that on behalf of their people as much as our own.