Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal + Congressional Delegation Conclude Visit to United Kingdom

Congressman Neal + Delegation in front of the Leinster House in Dublin, with Sinn Fein's Marylou McDonald and US Ambassador Claire Cronin

(May 23, 2022) - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the Congressional delegation concluded its time in the United Kingdom:

“Our Congressional delegation came to the United Kingdom to reaffirm our bond with one of our oldest allies. Since Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation, we have been in lockstep with the UK in our support for the Ukrainian people. We met with Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer, as well as other members of Parliament, to discuss how we will continue to use any tool at our disposal to stop this war. We underscored our commitment to the Good Friday Agreement in bilateral meetings with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Trade Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

“We conveyed to our UK allies that negotiations with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol must continue in good faith and with urgency.

“As we travel to Ireland, we are guided by the economic and strategic cooperation between our two countries that is strengthened by cultural ties and mutual affinity. We look forward to meeting with the President and the Taoiseach, the Foreign Minister, political leaders, and other stakeholders to further this partnership and to demonstrate our unwavering bipartisan commitment to preserving the Good Friday Agreement.”

The delegation met with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin, US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, Sinn Fein's Marylou McDonald and various other officials.

In addition, Congressman Neal also returned to the Blasket Islands off the coast of County Kerry, where his maternal ancestors came from originally. His family emigrated to Springfield in western Massachusetts, a place where many Blasket Islanders and Kerry folks made a new life in the United States. Neal's paternal grandmother came from County Down.

Comments

Remarks by President Barack Obama at St. Patrick's Day Reception on March 17, 2010

East Wing, White House PRESIDENT OBAMA: Welcome to St. Patrick’s Day at the White House, on a day when springtime is in the air –- and this is -- even though the Taoiseach hasn’t even shared his shamrocks yet, but we can feel spring coming. Before I say anything else let me just say that I could not have a better partner in a difficult job than the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; he does a great job each and every day. (Applause.) And I couldn't have a better partner in life than the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. (Applause.) Welcome back, Mr. Prime Minister, First Lady. We are thrilled to have you. The Irish and Irish-Americans are out in force tonight. I believe, if I'm not mistaken that Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is here. (Applause.) A couple of my Cabinet Secretaries are here, as well –- Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. (Applause.) I would love to ackn...

United States - Northern Ireland Economic Conference Set for October 19 in Washington D.C.

The U.S. State Department is hosting a one-day economic conference to showcase American investment opportunities in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at the U.S. State Department. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will preside over the conference of 70-80 participants. The conference was announced on March 17, 2010 following a meeting with President Barack Obama, Secretary Clinton and leaders from Northern Ireland, according to Declan Kelly , US Envoy to Northern Ireland. First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are expected to represent Northern Ireland at the conference. Executives from American corporations already doing business in Northern Ireland will share their experiences with corporate executives who are considering investment there. Key partners involved in the conference include Tourism Ireland , the U.S. Consulate in Belfast and the Ireland Funds . For a full list of partners, click here . The conference is part of an ongoing...

Dan Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland, Returning to Pittsburgh after Distinguished Service to the United States and Ireland

Dan Rooney , United States Ambassador to Ireland, is resigning his post today after serving in President Barack Obama 's Administration for over three years. Mr. Rooney was sworn into his post on July 1, 2009 and arrived in Ireland later that month. In an article he published in today's Pittsburgh Post Gazette , Mr. Rooney wrote, "It has been an honor and privilege to represent President Barack Obama and the United States of America as ambassador to Ireland. "President Obama charged me to protect and build the historic and deep friendship between our two countries. I am pleased to say this relationship, which is built on enduring family ties, a common heritage and shared values, is the strongest it has ever been. Ours is not a foreign relationship between two countries; ours is a shared kinship between two great peoples," he concluded. Mr. Rooney is also chairman emeritus of the Pittsburgh Steelers . Here is a video of US Ambassador Dan Roo...

Irish Americans for Biden Harris

Search This Blog