Biden’s support for peace deal ‘meant a lot’ during Brexit negotiations

MICHEAL Martin has thanked Joe Biden for his “unwavering support” for the Good Friday Agreement.

The Taoiseach said his backing for the 1998 peace accord “meant a lot” during the Brexit negotiations.

Mr Biden again stated his support for the agreement in a virtual meeting with Mr Martin on St Patrick’s Day.

“You know my view, and the view of my predecessor in the Obama/biden administration, on the Good Friday Agreement,” the US President said.

“We strongly support it, we think it’s critically important it be maintained and the political and economic stability of Northern Ireland is very much in the interest of all of our people.”

Mr Martin responded: “It has meant a lot and it has mattered, including as we negotiated Brexit.

“With a new trading relationship now in place between the European Union and the United Kingdom, and a protocol that protects peace and avoids a hard border on this island, I want to move forward with a positive relationship with the United Kingdom.

“That means standing by what has been agreed and working together to make a success of it.

“That, in turn, can help maintain peace and promote greater reconciliation on our shared island — goals that I know you support.”

Speaking in a press conference after his meeting with Mr Biden, Mr Martin said they also discussed coronavirus vaccine supplies.

He added the logistical challenge the US was facing was similar to Ireland.

“Like every other country, he is very anxious to get his people vaccinated as quickly as he possibly can and to have a sufficiency of vaccines to do that,” the

Taoiseach told the media.

“I raised the issue of supply chains in terms of the necessity to keep supply chains open in terms of the different component parts that make up the vaccine. It was a good discussion on that and I think there will be ongoing engagement between the US and Europe, and other countries as well, in relation to that.”