SAYING “THANK you” in public is one of the most important contributions a leader can make to good inter-state relations. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern fulfilled that duty admirably yesterday when he paid tribute to years of work by Irish-American politicians and White House support in securing peace in Northern Ireland. The honour of being invited to address a joint session of the United States Congress to celebrate that signal achievement was reflected back on his hosts.
On one of the last of his last public engagements in office, it must be said that Mr Ahern did us proud. His address to the assembled high-powered audience of fellow politicians was well-crafted and finely judged, creative, inspirational about the American dream in an election year but, most importantly, it looked to the future of Ireland, the US, Europe and the world as well as the past.
A series of standing ovations emphasised the emotional content of the occasion. Mr Ahern spoke of past achievements and current challenges in a world of connected responsibilities in which Ireland remained a steadfast friend of the US. Famine and Irish emigration to the US were linked to global warming, hunger and an ongoing obligation to share. The changing nature of the world was illustrated by the European Union where 27 States had put aside their hostility in favour of co- operation.
Ireland had also changed, growing wealthy and confident; experiencing inward migration and sending peacekeeping forces around the world. Most importantly, Mr Ahern said he was proud to be the first Irish leader to be able to tell America that Ireland was at peace. “If you ever doubt the good you can do, look to Ireland,” he told Congress in one of the defining lines in his speech.
As the world flirts with economic recession and the desire for protectionist policies, as flash points like Iraq and the Middle East dominate the political agenda, it was valuable, hopefully inspiring, that a small country like Ireland, through its Taoiseach, could advance the argument that politics is the art to solve the most insurmountable people problems in the world.
Mr Ahern is the first Fianna Fáil taoiseach to address a joint session of the Houses of Congress. It is unfortunate that it should be one of his last acts in that position. He was enthusiastically received. His own contribution to the peace process and that of the US political establishment, including presidents Clinton and Bush, the Four Horsemen, the Friends of Ireland, the enormous input of former senator George Mitchell deserved recognition in their home country. But, yesterday’s celebration would not be complete without recognising the initial engagement between John Hume and Senator Ted Kennedy in the early days of the Troubles in the North when they, alone, were the Irish-American relationship.
Two Fianna Fáil presidents received a similar honour to Mr Ahern, as did three Fine Gael taoisigh. A tribute should be paid today to Mr Ahern, on one of his last public engagements, Irish diplomats, speechwriters and the real friends of Ireland in America.