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Joe Biden to address Oireachtas

The Oireachtas was previously addressed by Bill Clinton and JFK.
James Wilson
James Wilson

19.03 5 Apr 2023


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Joe Biden to address Oireachta...

Joe Biden to address Oireachtas

James Wilson
James Wilson

19.03 5 Apr 2023


Share this article


US President Joe Biden has accepted an invitation to address the Houses of the Oireachtas next Thursday. 

TDs and Senators have been emailed by the Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad asking them to “note this date for diary purposes”. 

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Previously, Bill Clinton and JFK have addressed the Oireachtas and the honour is rarely granted; only 23 other addresses have been made - the most recent was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

President Biden will arrive in Northern Ireland on April 11th to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and travel south after two days. 

In Mayo he will “deliver an address to celebrate the deep, historic ties that link our countries and people”.

He will also visit his ancestors’ native County Louth.

'Never been stronger'

At a press conference with journalists, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the relationship between Ireland and the United States has "never been stronger nor closer".

"We enjoy a dynamic economic partnership - which very much goes in both directions," he said.

"And we share important values - not least a commitment to freedom and democracy in the world."

He added that the full cost of the President's visit to Ireland would likely only be known at the end of the visit.

"It's mainly related to security, so we're going to be using public buildings," he said.

"It is a requirement that there be significant security around the visit of a US President for very obvious reasons; they bring some of that with them but some of that we have to provide as well."

Main image: Joe Biden in Ireland. 


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