President Bush and Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern Attend St. Patrick's Day Reception
PRIME MINISTER AHERN: Mr. President and Mrs. Bush, thank you for the welcome and honor which you've extended to our delegation, and to all the Irish guests, from North and from South, who are here at the White House this morning to mark St. Patrick's Day, Ireland's National Day. I'm very grateful, Mr. President, for the opportunity which we have just had to hold a very substantial and useful meeting with you in the Oval Office. We appreciate it, and we appreciate the amount of time that you've given to us.
Exactly 10 years ago I paid my first visit here as Taoiseach, just a month before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, in April of 1998. As you know, that accord was truly a defining moment in the history of our island, and one in which the United States paid a remarkable and vital role. However, as Senator George Mitchell recognized at the time, much work remained ahead.
In March of 2001, Mr. President, you and I held our first meeting here together, and on that day you pledged the full support of the United States for the peace process in Ireland. Since that time, in the course of your presidency, you've appointed three envoys to Northern Ireland -- Richard Haass, Mitchell Reiss, Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky -- all of whom have contributed so positively to addressing the many challenges that we've had to face. And on so many occasions over the years, I wondered whether we could one day return here with news of a process completed, of success finally achieved.
This morning, Mr. President, we are all glad to say, and enormously pleased and proud to stand here and say that we've achieved peace in Ireland. It's a peace that I firmly believe will endure to future generations.
Your personal role, President, in the process and in the precious achievement is deeply appreciated by all of us, as is the commitment and support of our friends in previous administrations and Capitol Hill, and of our Irish-American community.
Today is a day when we say thank you to the great country for all that you've done, and you continue to do, for Ireland. On St. Patrick's Day, 2008, we enjoy in Ireland peace, partnership, and rising prosperity. And it is, President, the first time that anybody has been able to say that in the history of our country. So, for all of that, we thank you. (Applause.)
Bringing us to this glad and historic point in Irish history has demanded vision and courage. At this time of unprecedented optimism and promise in Ireland, I want especially to acknowledge the leadership of First Minister Ian Paisley, Deputy First Minister Mark McGuinness, and our colleagues in the New Executive in Northern Ireland. I'm grateful to you, Mr. President, for reaching out to the New Executive, and for so warmly welcoming the First and Deputy First Ministers to Washington in December, last. This was a timely signal of support and encouragement, which meant a great deal to them and everybody on the island of Ireland.
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