Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that he believes TDs and Senators will happily return to Leinster House on their two-week break to watch a potential address from US President Joe Biden.
President Biden will travel to Ireland next week as part of a visit to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The visit will start in Belfast on Tuesday before he travels to Dublin on Wednesday.
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While many aspects of the visit are yet to be finalised, the Irish Mirror reported on Monday that Secret Service Agents and the gardaí were scoping out Leinster House this week ahead of a potential address to the Dáil.
Cameras were also being installed on the campus on Tuesday in case an address is announced. One senior Government source told the Irish Mirror that confirmation on whether or not President Biden will address the Dáil will be announced “shortly”.
However, nothing has been officially confirmed.
Speaking at a Fianna Fáil event to mark the Good Friday Agreement in UCD on Tuesday night, Mr Martin said that he does not think any TDs or Senators would object to travelling to Leinster House during the Easter recess if President Biden was to address the Dáil.
The Tánaiste also praised Mr Biden’s commitment to Ireland, saying that he has been a “great friend”.
He said: “I think his firm diplomatic positioning in relation to the Good Friday Agreement, in relation to Brexit and the protocol has been effective and impactful.
“That's something we appreciate.
“I think he's had a long standing interest in peace in Northern Ireland and his appointment of Joe Kennedy as an Economic Envoy [to Northern Ireland] is significant.
“I met with [Vice-President of the European Commission] Maroš Šefčovič again on Sunday. “We stand ready to work with a newly restored [Northern Ireland] Executive, if we can get it restored, and with the British Government, to develop an economic platform for Northern Ireland over the next number of years.
“I know President [Biden] is keenly interested in that.
“Of course, Ireland has influenced him and his background has influenced him as he often quotes.”
During his five day trip to Ireland, Mr Biden will travel to Dublin and Belfast. While no details have been confirmed, he is also expected to travel to his ancestral homes in Mayo and Louth.
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