The Taoiseach praised Biden as a voice for “reason, effective multilateralism, and shared solutions.”
Biden was warmly welcomed to Ireland last year, where he addressed the Dáil and explored his family roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He also visited Northern Ireland, met with then UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast, and engaged at Ulster University.
Harris honoured Biden in light of his announcement on Sunday evening. In a statement, he said, “On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, thank you, Mr. President, for your global leadership and friendship as you announce you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election.”
He noted Biden’s “fierce pride” in his Irish ancestry and commended his consistent advocacy for peace in Ireland.
“Joe Biden has been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland. Our country owes him a great debt for this,” Harris added.
“On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived in Belfast, Louth, and Mayo last year, he said it was like coming home. The public’s outpouring of love and support, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina, showed how highly the President is regarded in his ancestral home.”
My statement on US President @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024
Earlier, Tánaiste Micheál Martin responded to Biden’s decision with “sadness and admiration,” describing him as an “abiding friend of Ireland.”
Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter, “I heard the news of President Biden’s decision with both sadness and admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful and joyous celebration of our relationship with the US.”
“This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best.”