Members of Congress from both parties are calling on President Trump to appoint a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.
A letter crafted by Massachusetts Congressman William Keating already has a dozen co-sponsors in House members Fitzpatrick, Boyle, Carson, Connoly, Dean, Jonathan Jackson, Timothy Kennedy, Stephen Lynch, McGovern, Mullin, Quigley, and Titus.
In a letter to his colleagues Congressman Keating stated that in advance of St. Patrick's Day, "I invite you to join me in sending a letter to President Trump urging the appointment of a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland to strengthen our trade and investment ties and further peace and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.
"Since 1995, every presidential administration has appointed a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Our continued engagement is critical to sustaining peace and to securing U.S. economic interests in the region, particularly given Northern Ireland’s role as a key player in transatlantic trade and a site for American business expansion opportunities."
Rep. Keating is the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Europe on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The letter to President Trump states: "As bipartisan supporters of the U.S. relationship with Northern Ireland, we urge you to appoint a President’s Special Envoy for Northern Ireland to strengthen our trade and investment ties and further peace and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.
"Almost 27 years ago, representatives of the political parties in Northern Ireland as well as the UK and Irish governments signed the Good Friday Agreement, a historic effort, facilitated by the United States, to bring peace and stability to Northern Ireland and end 30 years of violence during the Troubles.
"Today, the Good Friday Agreement remains the bedrock of peace and has served as a conduit for change, investment, reconciliation, and peaceful governance in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent as well as the North-South and East-West institutions it established have also strengthened relations between the UK and Irish governments as well as between those in power on the island of Ireland. These institutions only serve to help the people of Northern Ireland.
"The U.S.’s role as a guarantor for peace in Northern Ireland has roots back to the notable partnership between President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, and since 1995, each Administration – Democrat and Republican - has appointed a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland to serve as a key conduit for strengthening the U.S. relationship with the people of Northern Ireland. While we recognize the importance of our missions in both London and Dublin, no name has been placed forward to protect and maintain America’s economic and diplomatic interests in Belfast.
"From an economic perspective, Northern Ireland has become a key player in transatlantic trade, offering American businesses significant expansion opportunities across the technology, financial services, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Appointing a Special Envoy would safeguard U.S. interests and signal that the U.S. is committed to supporting business-to-business ties between the U.S. and Northern Ireland, promoting new investments, and recognizing Northern Ireland’s unique status within the United Kingdom.
"Today, Northern Ireland sits at the center of both the United Kingdom and European Union markets and has made tremendous political progress, both since the restoration of devolved government last year and in the nearly 27 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
"Yet, Northern Ireland still faces many challenges including promoting further economic development as well as peace and reconciliation efforts. The uniquely influential role of Special Envoy for Northern Ireland is essential not only to promote U.S. interests in the region but also to help the people of Northern Ireland build on the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement and overcome these ongoing challenges with an eye to a more prosperous future."
The envoy post has been vacant since Joe Kennedy III tendered his resignation to President Biden in December. Kennedy's primary focus was on aiding economic ties between the U.S. and the North.
