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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has handed a bowl of shamrock to US president Donald Trump keeping up the strong annual tradition between the two countries.
Both men gave speeches touting the important historic ties between the two Ireland and the US going back generations ahead of the annul St Patrick’s Day tradition.
Varadkar trumpeted Ireland’s long-standing relationship with the US and mentioned the plight of undocumented Irish in America and the strong trade between both countries in his speech at the White House today.
Trump, for his part, said that he “loved the Irish” and talked about the strong influence the Irish have had on the US over the years.
“It’s my great honour to receive this magnificent bowl of Ireland’s great shamrocks,” Trump said.
He said that the Irish were people “full of love, warmth, grit and resolve” and that it was “closely woven into our own”.
Trump talked about the “shared bonds” both countries and of how eight of the US founding fathers had Irish heritage.
“The US has truly been blessed with the luck of the Irish to have you with us today,” said Trump.
He said Varadkar would likely be back for the next seven years. Seven years is the term of the presidency in Ireland, while the term of a government (and therefore the Taoiseach) is maximum five years.
Varadkar’s speech
In his own speech after Trump, Varadkar referenced past presidents and the relationship between both countries that stretched back centuries.
“The portrait of your first President, George Washington, looks down on us here in the East Room. President Washington called Ireland the ‘friend of my country in my country’s most friendless days’,” Varadkar said.
We supported the cause of American freedom from the very start – we shed our blood to help make it a reality.
Varadkar said that in the same was, the US had “helped build modern Ireland”.
“One that is prosperous and at peace, self-confident about our place in the world, no longer an island on the periphery of Europe, but an island at the centre of the world,” he said.
Varadkar also referenced Abraham Lincoln – “the first Republican president” – and the American poet Walt Whitman.
Diaspora
He went on the mention the many Irish people who have emigrated to the US throughout the years, as well as the Irish Diaspora.
“Today the Irish Diaspora is found in every state, every city, every neighbourhood in this country,” Varadkar said.
“We have prospered in politics, in business, in the arts, and in the service of fellow Americans. Many are here today.
Many Irish serve today in The White House.
Varadkar also mentioned the many undocumented Irish living in the US and the hopes that some sort of agreement could be reached for them.
“I know that the Irish people who have made their lives here, including those who are undocumented and living in the shadows, love this country dearly,” said Varadkar.
“They have the same dream as the men and women who inspired Washington, fought for Lincoln, and work alongside you today.
They want to continue to contribute to the life of this great country, and continue to play their part. Their dream will never die.
He said that the Irish government would “continue to work with your Administration to find a solution to this important issue”.
He also said Ireland was “willing to match any move with the same or better for Americans in Ireland”.
“The best relationship between two countries is a fair transaction, with something given and received on both sides.
A good deal – you might say.
Business
Varadkar said that Ireland could “act as a bridge between this great country and the European Union”.
“And, more than ever, we are a strong and effective partner for you,” he said.
He said how the economic relationship between both countries was “a two-way street”.
“Irish firms employ more than 100,000 people here across all 50 states,” he said.
“Since you took office, Mr President, 59 Irish companies have made new investments in this country. We are bringing jobs, good jobs.
“Each and every week we trade $2 billion in goods and services back and forth across the Atlantic. We want that to grow.”
He then presented the bowl of shamrocks to Trump.
With reporting from Christina Finn at the White House
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20 jobs that’s it folks recession is over
5 point plan is still on track
#sarcasm
I have to admit I was extremely impressed when Enda Kenny unveiled the 5 point plan back in 2011. I never knew he could count to 5.
” Recent research into the efficacy of ‘trade missions’ shows mixed results. A Canadian study into the visits of Stephen Harper’s government ( pdf) showed that – for all the hubris and politicians’ vanity – they did squat for trade. They just took businessmen to sign deals that had been agreed already. They are great lobbying opportunities for the businessmen, and they help the politician pose as the friend of business. But evidence of them helping exports? ‘Small, negative and mainly insignificant effects’.”
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2012/04/the-trade-mission-delusion/
We all know his advisors counted to 5 for him
#generalknowledge
20 jobs!? Is that a typo?
Couldn’t give a shite about €40m belonging to private companies… We’ll not see a penny of it anyway…but are they seriously bragging about 20 jobs?
Brain it looks that way they should had made it 26 jobs one for every county
20 jobs makes up for the amount of jobs lost since I started typing this comment. We need Bono to raise this plight at his next big gig: “Every time I clap my hands someone in Ireland has lost a job”
So stop clapping your hands!
In other news the government has sold €5.00 in 10 year bonds on the stock market today.
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And I wonder which politicians are listed as directors for those companies.
Its not like the people will be benefitting from a private company getting rich….
I’m speechless, where can I apply for all these jobs ?
I’d be ashamed to come back from a country with such a huge population and make that announcement. Sounds like a total failure for the mission. Kenny would want to shuffle him out some quiet door and send someone capable of promoting this country and people. Sack him!
Compared to recent deals with China by other countries, this is charity!
Folks I am not the Goverments biggest fan but 20 jobs is still better than none. €40 million of which some Irish Compaines could receive by supplying services and goods.
How many people are going come into the work force after finishing college 20 jobs is nt going be much help
Michael €36 million of the €40 million are funds being invested by Irish companies in Asia. The remainder accounts for deals done between Asian and Irish companies. According to the article.
Only 20 jobs? Ah cmon now
Might not even be that. The beauty of trade missions is that no one will check in 12 months to see if they actually delivered.
Has to be a typo.
So…5 million in
36 million out.
Are we…do we clap to this? I..just don’t know anymore
Typical Dickee Bruton stuff. It will probably cost more to send that rich littleBruton sleeveen to Asia than the country will ever realise in employment.
But as usual when useless rich mans friend Bruton is involved …… it’s hard to measure.
God help us to rid ourselves of these useless greedy pigs like Bruton !
Ah the redthumbs are out supportin they guvmints…but strangely… Have feck all to say
Wait….36 million in investments…In Asia.
Twenty jobs for only forty million? Dat’s fab!!
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Hey, let’s show a little gratitude for all that this government has done for us.
OK. TIme’s up.
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