KEATING LEADS 36 COLLEAGUES IN BIPARTISAN LETTER URGING PRESIDENT TRUMP TO APPOINT A SPECIAL ENVOY TO NORTHERN IRELAND

Washington, D.C. – Last night, Subcommittee on Europe Ranking Member Bill Keating led 36 bipartisan colleagues in writing to President Trump urging him to appoint a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland to strengthen our trade and investment ties and further peace and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.

“Almost 27 years ago, the United States played a historic role in brokering the Good Friday Agreement that ended 30 years of violence during the Troubles and set Northern Ireland on a peaceful path based on cross-community consent.” said Ranking Member Keating. “While issues of legacy and reconciliation remain, Northern Ireland has since made enormous progress and has become a key player in transatlantic trade at the center of the United Kingdom and European Union markets. Appointing a Special Envoy is critical to safeguarding U.S. economic interests in the region, furthering ongoing efforts on legacy and reconciliation, and building on the historic partnership forged in the Good Friday Agreement.”

Below is the text of the letter:

Dear President Trump,

As bipartisan supporters of the U.S. relationship with Northern Ireland, we urge you to appoint a Presidential 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 – Democratic 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.

 Sincerely,

 William Keating

Brian Fitzpatrick

Richard Neal

Mike Kelly

James P. McGovern

Michael V. Lawler

Madeleine Dean

Dina Titus

Kevin Mullin

Jonathan L. Jackson

Frank Pallone, Jr.

André Carson

Brendan F. Boyle

Stephen F. Lynch

Timothy M. Kennedy

Mike Quigley

Gerald E. Connolly

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

Steve Cohen

Ritchie Torres

Thomas R. Suozzi

Gabe Amo

Jim Costa

Mary Gay Scanlon

Julie Johnson

James C. Moylan

Seth Magaziner

Val Hoyle

Summer L. Lee

Nicole Malliotakis

Laura A. Gillen

Sarah McBride

Sharice L. Davids

Chellie Pingree

Lloyd Doggett

Paul D. Tonko

Jake Auchincloss