IRELAND WAS reaching out in new and exciting ways to its global family in the diaspora, Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the annual American Ireland Fund dinner for the St Patrick’s week festival, in Washington last night.
Presenting an upbeat view on the economy and its prospects, Mr Cowen said that, despite major challenges, there was a strategy for recovery in place; the deficit had been stabilised and the banking system was being reformed.
The honoree at the dinner was US secretary of state Hillary Clinton whose role in the Northern Ireland peace process came in for warm praise from Mr Cowen.
“We were so pleased to learn the fund has recognised Secretary Clinton. We in Ireland have been fortunate to count her as a true friend over many years. She has offered outstanding leadership.
“We deeply appreciated, Secretary Clinton, the visit you made to Ireland last October, at a particularly important moment in the peace process.
“I know that you also got some sense of the affection in which you are held in Ireland when you walked down Grafton Street and were surrounded by so many wellwishers.
“I carry with me tonight the good wishes of Irish people everywhere and congratulate you most warmly. We know that you have brought many talents to the high office which you hold today.
“We know also you have a deep understanding of the issues and the concerns of Northern Ireland.
“Since your visit, Secretary Clinton, we have seen a historic agreement to transfer policing powers from London to Belfast.
“For the first time, these powers will be exercised by a democratically elected cross-community administration in Northern Ireland – with the support of all our people.
“That administration is led, and that agreement was reached, by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
“They are with us tonight and I want to acknowledge their leadership, and that of all of their colleagues – including the new SDLP leader, the successor to John Hume and Mark Durkan, Minister Margaret Ritchie.
“I also want to recognise US economic envoy Declan Kelly, who since his appointment has done such an outstanding job.”
Turning to the economy, Mr Cowen said: “The great strengths and advantages that Ireland offers will be important as the global crisis eases and as our economy grows again.
“And as we recover, we recognise the need to reach out in new and exciting ways to our global Irish family, here in the US and around the world.
“That is why we convened the Global Economic Forum last September in Ireland and are now following up on many of the discussions from that time.
“We are building a smarter economy, investing heavily in science and research, developing green technology and renewable energy, promoting our third-level institutions in the US and expanding our cultural programmes.
“And, just last week, we launched our Innovation Task Force Report, identifying new strategies and positioning Ireland as an international innovation hub,” the Taoiseach said.
Mrs Clinton was accompanied by her husband, former president Bill Clinton, and others on the guest list included Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Senator Patrick Leahy, congressman and chair of the Friends of Ireland in the US Congress Richie Neal and US ambassador to Ireland, Daniel Rooney.
This morning, Mr Cowen will have a bilateral meeting with President Obama at the White House. The two men will go together to Capitol Hill to attend the Speaker’s Lunch hosted by Ms Pelosi.