This year, as we mark the 101st anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Ireland, we celebrate a partnership rooted in shared history, values, and opportunity. Yet, our commitment to peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland extends beyond Dublin—it reaches places like Armagh, Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, and Newry.
That’s why earlier this month I signed onto a letter urging the Trump Administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, a move to strengthen our trade and investment ties, advance reconciliation efforts, and honor America’s pivotal role in the Good Friday Agreement nearly 27 years ago.
In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement—brokered with U.S. facilitation—ended 30 years of violence during the Troubles, uniting Northern Ireland’s political parties and the British and Irish governments in a historic accord. Today, it remains the bedrock of peace. It has fostered stability, investment, and reconciliation while enhancing ties across the island and between the UK and Ireland. Its principle of consent and the North-South and East-West institutions it established empower Northern Ireland’s people to shape their future.
Even decades later, the Good Friday Agreement continues to endure when tested. In 2022, the DUP effectively prevented convening a new Assembly, the Executive, and the operation of the North/South Ministerial Council.
This move undermined political processes in Northern Ireland and left the people of Northern Ireland largely unrepresented in critical matters. I was a strong voice in the U.S. on these matters, consistently engaging with the UK government and political parties in Northern Ireland to find a way forward. I also introduced a bipartisan resolution to offer strong American support for the return of the devolved government institutions in Belfast. Eventually, almost two years later, the DUP ceded and power-sharing was restored.
Northern Ireland is brimming with potential. Its unique position linking the UK and EU markets is a key player in transatlantic trade. American businesses see significant opportunities in technology, financial services, minerals, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Ensuring the proper implementation of the Good Friday Agreements also necessitates respect. That is why I have strongly advocated against the UK’s Legacy and Reconciliation bill. This bill essentially ended prosecutions related to the Troubles, undermining victims’ rights across Northern Ireland. I led the charge in the U.S. Congress against this legislation and am pleased that the British government, under the new Administration, is revisiting the bill. A sustained peace is hard work, but for those who care deeply about democracy in Northern Ireland, it’s work well done.
The United States has guaranteed this peace since President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Tip O’Neill. Since 1995, every administration has appointed a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland to deepen our connection with its people and uphold the Good Friday Agreement. While the Trump Administration has yet to appoint an Envoy, I trust the President will soon announce his pick.
Even before sending the congressional letter with my colleagues, I had individually urged the Administration to fill the slot. Along with my recent letter to the Administration, I have, in this milestone year of U.S.-Ireland relations, hoped that the Trump Administration would reaffirm our commitment across the island with this appointment.
Northern Ireland is brimming with potential. Its unique position linking the UK and EU markets is a key player in transatlantic trade. American businesses see significant opportunities in technology, financial services, minerals, and advanced manufacturing sectors. A Special Envoy would safeguard U.S. interests, boost business-to-business ties, and underscore our support for Northern Ireland’s economic rise and its distinct status within the UK.
President Trump, who many refer to as a “master dealmaker”, knows the value of capitalizing on such prospects.
But this goes beyond economics. Northern Ireland still faces challenges—spurring development and deepening reconciliation—that require our support. The Special Envoy’s unique role can help its people build on the Good Friday Agreement’s legacy, tackling these issues with an eye toward a brighter future. While our missions in London and Dublin—including our century-plus partnership with Ireland—are vital, they can’t replace the focused advocacy a Belfast envoy brings.
The Irish Echo’s readers, many tied to Ireland’s rich heritage, understand the stakes. In 1924, America opened its Embassy in Dublin, beginning a diplomatic bond that thrives today. In 2025, as we celebrate 101 years of that relationship, let’s extend our goodwill northward. Appointing a Special Envoy is a crucial step to renewing America’s partnership with Northern Ireland—one that puts U.S. interests first while uplifting our allies.
As a bipartisan advocate for this cause, I will continue to urge the Trump Administration to act swiftly. Northern Ireland’s people deserve our support, and America’s legacy—on both sides of the Irish border—demands it. Let’s make it happen. Lawler.jpg
Congressman Mike Lawler (above) represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. New York's 17th Congressional District is home to a significant Irish-American population.
