“Over the past 100 years, our relationship has been grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and an unyielding commitment to democracy, peace, and prosperity.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris, head of the Irish government, spoke to students this past Friday in celebration of 100 years of Irish-American diplomatic relations. The BMW Center for German and European Studies organized the event alongside Georgetown’s Global Irish Studies Program. Harris began by emphasizing Ireland’s strength through its economic partnerships.
U.S. companies in Ireland directly employ more than 210,000 people, and Irish companies support more than 100,000 jobs in the United States. Harris said that the strong economic partnership between the United States and Ireland is rooted in the belief that collaboration makes both nations stronger.
“This investment represents a commitment to a shared vision, a belief in Ireland’s potential, and an understanding that the success of one nation fuels the prosperity of the other,” he said.
Harris believes that the single most important achievement of the relationship between the United States and Ireland is the role that the US played and continues to play in the Irish peace process. That support has come from multiple American presidents over the past few decades, from Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton to Joe Biden.
The promotion of peace plays a central role in Irish foreign policy.
“In Ireland, we believe in bringing hope and history together. We believe that peace is always possible. We have to,” he said.
He continued by urging the world not to turn a blind eye to the conflict in the Middle East.
“Ireland will always be honest with friends – the world is not doing enough to bring this violence, devastation and bloodshed to an end,” he said.
Harris believes that because of his own country’s history, he and others have a responsibility to speak out in support of other countries going through similar struggles in the present day.
“It is no longer enough to just say you want a ceasefire. Every lever at our disposal must be pulled in the name of peace,” Harris said. “For different countries, that will mean different things. Humanitarian aid, supply of weapons, economic influence, diplomatic influence.”
Following his remarks, students asked the Taoiseach about issues ranging from Ireland’s relationship with China to the suspension of the Mitchell scholarship, a fully funded scholarship for American students to study in Ireland.
In his concluding remarks, he shared his optimism for the future of the relationship between Ireland and the United States.
“As we look to the next 100 years and beyond, I am excited about the potential to continue our work together on the international stage to promote global prosperity and stability, and our common values of peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”
