The US Senate Majority Leader has warned that he won’t support any trade deal with the UK that undermines the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking to an audience in Washington DC that included the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Chuck Schumer also jokingly suggested sending the Irish rugby team to Ukraine and endorsed Mayo for Sam.
Senator Schumer gave the colourful speech at the annual Ireland Funds gala dinner this evening – where diners pay $1,000 a plate.
“Of course, it should come as no shock that the Irish people know a thing or two about unwelcome intruders,” he said.
“Just ask those fishermen in Cork who chased off the Russian Navy.
“I think if you sent the Irish rugby team to Ukraine, this thing might be over in a week.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressing the Ireland Funds Gala dinner in Washington DC. Says the Good Friday Agreement has yet to live up to its full potential but describes America as the third co-guarantor pic.twitter.com/fDV1kO5JnF
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 16, 2023
Senator Schumer also encouraged the DUP to sign up to the Windsor Framework, with Jeffrey Donaldson saying the power lies with the people of Northern Ireland.
Mr Donaldson shared a dinner table with Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and the leaders of the other three Northern Irish parties.
Hmm US Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer telling the American-Irish dinner if the Irish Rugby Team was sent to Ukraine maybe the war would be over sooner… pic.twitter.com/J8PXOs3VZG
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 16, 2023
Good Friday became a big focus of the event, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggesting its full potential hasn't been realised.
“Twenty-five years on, Northern Ireland is a very different place,” he said.
“Yes, it has its problems - everywhere does - and it has yet to live up to the full promise of April 1998.
“But it is unquestionably a better lace than it was and there are so many opportunities available to young and old that were unimaginable for so long.”
The Taoiseach will begin his official engagements today in Washington DC ahead of the annual St. Patricks Day visit to The White House.
Newstalk Political Correspondent @SeanDefoe spoke to us live from Washington to tell us more
https://t.co/10h2aeQHxC pic.twitter.com/5Sd7epenn4— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 15, 2023
The Taoiseach's programme continues later with renewed focus on the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
