Biden Addresses Irish Parliament, Praises Cooperation on Ukraine, Global Taxation, Climate Change

President Joe Biden addressed the Irish Parliament on April 13 as part of his visit to Ireland, acknowledging his Irish roots and the strong ties between the United States and Ireland. He praised the partnership between the two nations in addressing global issues including aid to Ukraine, the global minimum tax, and climate change.

Biden expressed confidence in the unity and determination of the international community to defend their shared values, despite Putin’s miscalculations about NATO and the European Union.

Biden became the fourth U.S. president to address a joint session of the Irish Parliament, following the footsteps of John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. The president praised the Good Friday Agreement and urged the British government to collaborate with Ireland.

People Before Profit, a left-wing political party in Ireland, announced a boycott of the speech over Biden’s foreign policy, but Biden received a warm welcome in Ireland, according to Amanda Sloat, a senior director for Europe at the U.S. National Security Council.

Prior to the parliamentary address, Biden met with Irish President Michael Higgins and participated in various ceremonies, including ringing the Peace Bell installed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Biden’s visit included various political and personal meetings and started on April 11 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.