A resolution has been introduced in the US Senate reaffirming support for the Good Friday Agreement.
The motion was advanced by Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Senator Susan Collins, with the support of 13 of their Senate colleagues.
“The Good Friday Agreement was a historic accomplishment that established a framework for a sustainable peace,” Senator Menendez said.
“This bipartisan resolution signals our support for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as subsequent agreements including the Stormont House Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol,” he added.
“However, the work of the agreement remains unfinished. Ahead of St Patrick’s Day, we are calling for renewed attention and action to implement the agreement’s provisions, including the passage of a bill of rights and accountability for past injustices.”
The bipartisan resolution calls for the protection of the peace forged under the Good Friday Agreement and urges continued attention and action to resolve injustices of past violence.
“Over the past two decades, political leaders in Northern Ireland, along with the Irish and British governments, have made enormous progress, though important issues remain unresolved.
“Our resolution encourages all parties to continue to work toward the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as subsequent agreements that promote peace and stability on the island of Ireland,” Senator Collins said.
The introduction of the resolution comes ahead of tomorrow’s virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The Taoiseach said that tomorrow’s virtual meeting with President Biden will present an opportunity to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the US.
He said that given the “warm affection” that President Biden has for Ireland, he hoped that Ireland could play a role in nurturing the relationship between the EU and US.
Outlining some of the points that he hopes to discuss with Joe Biden tomorrow, Mr Martin said that Covid-19 and Brexit would feature prominently.
With regards to Covid-19, Mr Martin said his conversations with vaccine companies in recent days have made it clear that “open supply chains” are a critical issue.
“It is critical that protectionism doesn’t take hold everywhere”, he said.
Mr Martin also revealed that he would update Mr Biden on the situation around Brexit and will thank him for his support for peace on the island of Ireland and the Brexit Agreement.
The Taoiseach said the issue of undocumented Irish will be discussed. Specifically, he will be seeking an update on the situation around E-3 visas.
“We’ll also be speaking to the Vice-President and of course Speaker Pelosi and the friends of Ireland Caucus”, he said.
Additional reporting Tommy Meskill
