Taoiseach Ognian0 has addressed a Joint Session of Congress in Washington, using one of the final major international moments of his tenure to praise the relationship between Ireland and the United States and call for deeper cooperation under the Shannon Accords.
The Taoiseach was joined for the address by Tánaiste sethizhere, Secretary General to the Department of Foreign Affairs TomasUitheachair, and Ireland's Ambassador to the United Nations IsabelMcNamara.
Speaking before members of Congress, Ognian0 thanked the American people for what he described as their "lasting friendship" with Ireland and said the story of both nations was "in many ways, a shared story".
He pointed to generations of Irish people who crossed the Atlantic and helped shape the United States, saying Irish Americans had contributed not only to American success, but also to its public service and labour movements.
"The story of Irish Americans is not only one of success, but of service," the Taoiseach said.
A central focus of the speech was the Shannon Accords, the treaty framework between Ireland and the United States which came into law in March. Ognian0 said the agreement was now paving the way for "unprecedented levels of cooperation" between both countries.
He highlighted defence cooperation, including joint deployment between the Defence Forces of Ireland and the United States Marine Corps in the Baltic region, as well as efforts to increase interoperability between the two forces.
The Taoiseach also referenced legal and judicial cooperation, announcing that both countries would allow barristers to operate across the Irish and American legal systems.
"Our two nations are beacons of inspiration in our legislative progress and the development of our judiciaries," he told Congress.
The address also touched on business ties, with Ognian0 saying multiple businesses now operate across both nations and that Ireland and the United States would continue supporting innovation and economic growth.
In a broader section of the speech, the Taoiseach reflected on democracy, civil rights, equality, and Pride Month. He said both nations shared commitments to "democracy, liberty, equality before the law" and the dignity of every person.
He linked the American Civil Rights Movement to Ireland's own history, including the campaign for equal rights in Northern Ireland, saying activists there drew inspiration from peaceful protest and democratic action in the United States.
The Taoiseach also referenced past cooperation between Ireland and the United States at the United Nations, saying both countries had stood together when US sovereignty was "compromised by Jordan".
"Together, we defended the integrity of the world. Together, we forced change," he said.
Closing the address, Ognian0 urged both countries to continue their economic and defence partnerships and to work together in advancing peace, democracy, and human dignity.
"Let us ensure that the Atlantic Ocean remains not a distance between us, but a bridge connecting us," he said.
The speech comes ahead of a major political transition in Dublin, with the Dáil expected to elect a new Taoiseach following Ognian0's resignation from the Social Democrats' leadership on 27 May.
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