We’ll back Ireland in Brexit process: Pelosi
NANCY Pelosi has reiterated America’s support for Ireland in the ongoing Brexit process – saying that nothing must happen which ‘imperils’ the ‘seamless border’ with Northern Ireland.
On her visit to Dublin, the speaker of the US House of Representatives yesterday said America treasures the Good Friday Agreement, as it is a ‘beacon to the world’.
She once again ruled out any kind of special trade deal between the US and the UK in the wake of Brexit, if the agreement Britain strikes would damage the peace agreement. The senior Democrat – America’s third most powerful politician – addressed TDs and senators, past and present, in the Dáil yesterday as part of its 100th anniversary commemorations.
Ms Pelosi, 79, was joined by a high-level delegation of American congressman, including IrishAmerican Brendan Boyle.
During her wide-ranging speech – which was only marginally overshadowed by Bono’s attendance – Ms Pelosi said Ireland had experienced a century which it could be ‘truly proud of’, as she pointed to some specific achievements, including marriage equality.
Ms Pelosi referred to the Good Friday Agreement extensively throughout her speech, and mentioned specifically some of its architects – including the former US special envoy to Northern Ireland George Mitchell, and the late Martin McGuinness.
She described the day it was signed 21 years ago as a ‘holy day’, which heralded the ‘dawn of peace in Northern Ireland, of which few ever dared to dream’. She also said America treasures ‘the Good Friday accord, not just because it is a treaty – it is an ethic, it is a value, it is an article of faith to us, it is a beacon to the world’.
The speaker then reiterated America’s support for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, which she referenced earlier in the week during engagements in the UK. Ms Pelosi told the audience, which included Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, that ‘America will continue to stand with you in protecting the peace that the Good Friday accords have realised’.
‘I have said it before and I’ll say it again, we must ensure that nothing happens in the Brexit discussions that imperils the Good Friday accord including, but not limited to, the seamless border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland,’ she said.
‘Let me be clear: if the Brexit deal undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be no chance of a US-UK trade agreement. I say that hopefully, that we will not have to face that reality – but I say it as a prediction.
‘As you face the challenges posed by Brexit, know that the United States congress – both Democrats and Republicans in the House and in the Senate – stand with you.’
Ms Pelosi told the audience – including former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, whom she warmly greeted after her address – that children born when the Good Friday Agreement was made are 21 now and had entered their adulthood ‘knowing peace’. ‘We cannot jeopardise that. We must not and will not allow that progress to be undermined,’ she added.
Ms Pelosi was invited to speak in Leinster House by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and she joins a list of previous speakers which includes former presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl thanked Ms Pelosi and the US delegation for the visit, and said they had ‘taken time to visit to see first-hand the implications for us in a difficult Brexit’.
Ms Pelosi had a number of engagements here on Tuesday, including meetings with the Taoiseach, and Tánaiste Simon Coveney. She last night attended a reception in Dublin Castle.
The US delegation also met President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday afternoon, where they ‘discussed migration, the experiences of migrants and the undocumented, and the possibility of new E-3 visa legislation’ in the US.
The President’s office said in a statement: ‘The discussions also centred on the importance of close co-operation between Dublin and Washington on such issues as the global challenges related to climate change and sustainable development. President Higgins stressed the importance of linking economic security and sustainable development to greater social cohesion and solidarity within and between countries.’
The US delegation will today travel to the North.
‘A beacon to the world’ ‘Solidarity between countries’