Mr. President, (Mrs. Bush)
Thank you for the welcome and honour which you have extended to our delegation and to all the Irish guests, from North and South, who are here at The White House this morning to mark St Patrick's Day - Ireland's National Day.
I am grateful also, Mr. President, for the opportunity which we have just had to hold such a substantial and useful meeting with you in the Oval Office.
Exactly ten years ago, I paid my first visit here as Taoiseach, just a month before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, in April 1998. As you know, that Accord was truly a defining moment in the history of our island and one in which the United States played a remarkable and vital role. However, as Senator George Mitchell recognised at the time, much work remained ahead.
In March, 2001, Mr. President, you and I held our first meeting here together. On that day, you pledged the full support of the United States for the peace process in Ireland.
Since that time, in the course of your Presidency, you have appointed three envoys to Northern Ireland: Richard Haass, Mitchell Reiss and Under-Secretary Paula Dobriansky, all of whom have contributed so positively to addressing the many challenges that we have had to face.
On so many occasions over the years I wondered whether we could one day return here with news of a process completed, of success finally achieved.
This morning, Mr. President, I am enormously pleased, and proud, to stand here and say to you:
We have achieved peace in Ireland.
This is a peace that I firmly believe will endure for future generations.
Your personal role in this precious achievement is deeply appreciated, as is the commitment and support of our friends in previous Administrations, on Capitol Hill and in our Irish-American community.
Today is a day when we say "thank you" to this great country for all that you have done and continue to do for Ireland - an Ireland which on this St Patrick's Day 2008 enjoys peace, partnership and rising prosperity.
Bringing us to this glad and historic point in Irish history has demanded vision and courage. At this time of unprecedented optimism and promise in Ireland, I want especially to acknowledge the leadership of First Minister Ian Paisley, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and their colleagues in the new Executive in Northern Ireland.
I am grateful to you, Mr President, for reaching out to the new Executive and for so warmly welcoming the First and deputy First Ministers to Washington in December. This was a timely signal of support and encouragement which meant a great deal. I hope that Ireland can now begin to share the lessons of our peace efforts with others in our world who suffer the pain and loss of conflict and division.
I am pleased to be able to say that the new Executive and my Government enjoy a close and productive partnership. We are determined to serve all the people of Ireland and to ensure that everyone can enjoy rising and sustained prosperity.
We look forward with great hope to the Economic Investment Conference in Northern Ireland in May. Your support, Mr President, for this important initiative, is greatly appreciated. It forms a vital part of the consolidation of today's peace and stability on the island of Ireland.
We also look forward to seeing the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive, as agreed at St Andrews. This will be the last piece in the jigsaw that will give us the durable peace and prosperity we have been working for all these years.
This year, Mr. President, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Hoban, one of Ireland's most famous immigrant sons. I know that date was honoured here just a few days ago. We take pride in the life and legacy of James Hoban, embodied in this famous building. He was also a man of vision and perseverance, who not only built the White House, but returned to rebuild it after it was destroyed in 1812.
We take great pride also in the contribution of all our immigrants to the US and acknowledge, Mr President, your efforts in recent times to achieve comprehensive immigration reform.
It is our fervent wish that a resolution will be found, as soon as possible, to the plight of those in our community here who cannot fully enjoy the freedom and promise of this great nation.
The relationship between Ireland and the United States is as strong and close as it is rooted and proud. It has often been described as unique.
In a world of change, where little remains constant, I believe that the United States and Ireland will always enjoy an indelible bond shaped by the legacy of countless immigrants who built and cherished their new home but who never forgot the land of their ancestors.
Our two countries remain committed to so many common causes.
And we can, I believe, work closely on some of the most pressing challenges of our times, many of which we discussed this morning.
Both of us, Mr. President, have recently had the opportunity to visit Africa. You have taken transforming and bold steps in the fight against HIV/Aids and Malaria for which I commend you. Indeed, in doing so, I am in the company of two rather famous fellow Dubliners, Bono and Bob Geldof who have devoted so much time and energy to addressing the needs of the world's poor.
Your leadership, Mr. President, has made a real difference on that challenged continent.
Ireland, too, has been playing its part. We have tripled our overseas development aid over the past five years and we are well on the way to reaching the UN target of spending 0.7% of GDP by 2012. Helping Africa is a vital area where Ireland and the US have so much in common and where we can make a real difference.
Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th Anniversary will be celebrated soon, has inspired generations across America and in Europe.
Mr. President, you said some time ago that "to understand the life and sacrifice of Abraham Lincoln is to understand the meaning and promise of America."
The promise of America is strong and enduring.
That promise has been Ireland's promise too and means as much today as ever before.
Over the generations, Ireland has given its people to America. In return, America today has enabled so much to be accomplished in Ireland.
I stand here today proud of our achievements at home and very proud also of our friendship with the United States.
Our two countries will always be special to one another.
And finally, Mr President, can I thank you for your hospitality today and for treasuring the wonderful tradition that is St Patrick's Day in the White House.
I hope you will recall the annual visits of the Irish with fondness.
I know that you will look back on this momentous period - when peace came to our country after centuries of division - with a great sense of achievement.
Happy St. Patrick's Day and Thank You.
Thank you.
ENDS