JOE Biden has declared he is home as he made a historic address to a packed Irish Parliament.
Biden told TDs and senators that “peace is precious” as he suggested the UK should be working more closely with the Republic of Ireland to support Northern Ireland.
Reflecting on discussions with the Taoiseach, he spoke of “how Ireland and the United states can work together with the United Kingdom and the European Union to support the people of Northern Ireland”.
“I think that the United Kingdom should be working closer with Ireland in this endeavour. Political violence must never be allowed again to take hold on this island.”
His remarks received applause from assembled politicians.
“Peace is precious. It still needs its champions. It still needs to be nurtured," he said.
The US president was welcome with sustained, rapturous applause as he entered the chamber in Dublin’s Leinster House to deliver a speech on Thursday.
Asking to be forgiven for his attempt at speaking the Irish language, he said “Ta me sa bhaile” (I am home).
Biden is the fourth US president to address the Irish Parliament after John F Kennedy in 1963, Ronald Reagan in 1984 and Bill Clinton in 1995.
In his address Biden praised the “enduring” strength of the Irish-US relationship as he promised “a future poised for unlimited shared possibilities”.
Big names in Irish politics and society congregated for the speech, as well as some members of the US Congress, a senator and Biden’s sister Valerie and son Hunter.
Former Irish president Mary McAleese and ex-taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were among those present, as was former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
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