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Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has congratulated the new US President Joe Biden on his \u201cimmense achievement\u201d.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has congratulated the new US President Joe Biden on his \u201cimmense achievement\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States of America on Wednesday, succeeding former president Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach referenced Mr Biden\u2019s Irish roots, calling him \u201cone of us\u201d and said he looked forward to welcoming him back to this island.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cOn behalf of the government and people of Ireland, I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to President Joe Biden on his inauguration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe inauguration of a new US President is a moment of hope and renewal in US political life.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs he takes the oath-of-office, I know that President Biden will feel the weight of history \u2013 the presence of his Irish ancestors who left Mayo and Louth in famine times in search of life and hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will remember their descendants\u2019 hard struggle as they made their way in and their contribution to the United States. It is the story of Irish-America.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope he will also be conscious of the great pride we in Ireland take in his immense achievement. He is one of us, part of our global family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to welcoming President Biden back to this island and deepening cooperation on global peace, climate change, economic partnership and stability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Martin also congratulated Vice President Kamala Harris, who has become the first woman and the first person of color to hold the position.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI also wish to pay tribute to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has created history today, and who will help form a diverse and formidable administration.\u201d<\/p>\n
While US relations with the European Union became strained during the Trump presidency, Mr Martin has offered Ireland\u2019s help in restoring them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe Ireland can be a bridge-builder between the United States and the European Union as we all share common values in securing democracy, peace and economic development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI am enormously heartened that among his first actions in office will be a re-commitment of the US to the Paris Agreement on climate, and a resetting of the relationship with Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenges of our shared world \u2013 and the issues that Joe Biden will face as President \u2013 can only be overcome if like-minded leaders come together to tackle them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has also congratulated Mr Biden, and spoke of his hope that his presidency will signal a stronger relationship between the US and Ireland.<\/p>\n
Writing on Twitter, he said: \u201cIreland takes great pride in inauguration of @JoeBiden as US\u2066\u2066\u2066President.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope to welcome him to his ancestral home early in his Presidency. He has always been a friend to Ireland & we look forward to working with him on strengthening Irish\/US relations & much more.\u201d<\/p>\n