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Mr. Speaker,
Mr. President,
Members of Congress, Friends of Ireland
Distinguished Guests
I am delighted to be back here in the US Capitol amongst friends, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
I bring good news from Ireland.
A message of recovery and renewal.
We’ve taken a leaf from a long held American philosophy... opportunity and prosperity through hard work... the American Dream...
The Irish people – always capable, always ready - have worked so hard to turn it around.
Last year, we were the fastest growing economy in the European Union.
The European Commission expects us to retain this position in 2015.
Investment is up, growing more than 14% last year with strong signals of confidence across the business sector, suggesting this strong growth is set to continue.
We see positive trends also in our tourism statistics, in retail sales, in consumer sentiment, all pointing to renewed confidence in both the business sector and amongst the general public.
Government borrowing is falling rapidly, from a peak of €22 billion in 2011 to around €5 billion this year – and we are on track to reduce the deficit to well below 3% of GDP this year.
Since 2012, Irish businesses have added almost 90,000 jobs to the economy.
Our ambition...that by 2018 everyone who wants a job can get a job.
We are exporting more than ever as a nation.
So as friends with dreams so closely entwined we now have the opportunity and capacity to transform our future economic relations and reassert our shared values through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Yes, these negotiations are complex, but I have confidence that a fair, mutually beneficial deal is within our grasp. I encourage you to pass Trade Promotion Authority soon to provide the necessary framework and add the necessary momentum to the negotiations.
The US Congress and the European Parliament will have the final say on this deal and I would encourage everyone to get behind these negotiations and bring them to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.
It’s win-win for all of our people.
Mr. Speaker,
Here last year, I spoke to you about immigration reform.
I won’t repeat myself today, other than to support all members of Congress to find a way forward for the undocumented – living in the shadows of the red, white and blue of the Star Spangled Banner.
Think of what Immigration reform can give this nation’s economy… what it can do for jobs and growth.
Friends of Ireland,
I also want to thank you for your ongoing, indispensible support for the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
Clearly challenges remain in the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. However, it is still the Irish Government’s firm view that full implementation of the Agreement continues to represent the best opportunity to bring long-term stability to Northern Ireland.
This Congress and this Administration have kept the faith and continue to walk with us and support the ongoing efforts to secure the peace and achieve true reconciliation, including through your ongoing support for the International Fund for Ireland.
Mr President, I want to thank you and Secretary Kerry for appointing Senator Gary Hart to support the negotiations last year that led to the Stormont House Agreement.
My Speaker, Mr. President, Friends of Ireland
The five million voices of my small nation is hugely amplified by the seventy million around the globe who are Irish by birth or descent or desire.
So many living here in the United States.
It is a chain of heritage and history that binds our two proud nations on either side of the Atlantic.
Mr Speaker, it remains for me to thank you and on behalf of the Irish People wish you
Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig daoibh go léir – Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all.
Thank You.