Taoiseach Micheál Martin honoured the great Irish American politicians of the past during his virtual lunch in Washington.
The traditional lunch was hosted by the Speaker of the House, and the most influential Democrat politician on Capitol Hill, Nancy Pelosi.
Mr Martin said: “it was very significantly on this day, four decades ago, that the Friends of Ireland Caucus was officially formed.
“Its architects were the so-called Four Horsemen – Speaker Tip O’Neill, Governor Hugh Carey and Senators Patrick Moynihan and Ted Kennedy.
And its founding members included at least two serving Senators – Pat Leahy and Ed Markey - as well as a young Senator from Delaware with a fondness for Irish poetry, now President Biden, and whom I had the pleasure of speaking to today.
“From its inception, the Friends has been bipartisan, focused, above all else, on promoting peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland.
“And I take this opportunity to welcome Congressman Mike Kelly as a new Co-Chair, and to thank Peter King for his contribution over many years.
“As Members of Congress, the Friends helped lay the foundations for the Good Friday Agreement.
“That historic agreement, finalised on Good Friday 1998, is guaranteed by international law, laid at the United Nations in New York.
“America, its Congress and successive Administrations played an indispensable role in bringing about what has become an indispensable agreement.
“And which, ultimately, delivered not only a new Ireland. But a new era for transatlantic relations, and global recognition of the successful role an engaged US can play as a peace-maker and peace-builder.”
