Taoiseach Micheál Martin has revealed some of the details of his cosy chat with US presidential election winner Joe Biden this week.
It’s believed that Mr Martin was among the first six world leaders to get a call with the President-elect, signifying that the new US leader will prioritise the Irish-American special relationship.
It comes as Biden compared Dublin to his home state of Delaware in a letter to his local supporters.
He also quoted James Joyce in his personal note, the second time in recent weeks that he has showcased an Irish writer.
In his open letter to Delawareans, the President-elect said: “The Irish writer James Joyce once said, ‘When I die, Dublin will be written on my heart.’
“Delaware will be written on mine.”
President Biden is a big fan of our poet laureate, the late Seamus Heaney too, and he quoted his famous “when hope and history rhyme” line in a major campaign speech.
The Taoiseach spoke with the President-elect this week and indicated that Ireland can look forward to having a friend in the most powerful office in the world.
Mr Martin said they discussed a potential presidential visit to Ireland and the arrangements for a St Patrick’s Day meeting.
The Taoiseach said: “We discussed Patrick’s Day, and we were conscious of Covid and he said, and I said to him, look, in some shape or form we’ll honour St Patrick’s Day.
“He was very warm towards Ireland, the Cooley Peninsula and Mayo, and the influence of his grandfather in particular in terms of that Irish heritage.
He added: “I think this will be an engaged President.
“He has a deep interest in Ireland, he’s engaged with Ireland and he doesn’t hide it.
“There’s an open door to Ireland and to Irish interests.
“I wouldn’t overstate it either in the overall scheme of things.
“I think what is important is the multilateralism that I sense will be part of the Biden presidency.
“Why is that important?
“We’re an open small economy, we depend on free trade.
“A good European Union relationship with the United States is important for Ireland and Joe Biden seems to be of that mind.
“And that’s important for the United Kingdom and Brexit.
“And I think the United Kingdom will get that as well.”
