​Envoy Joe Kennedy: It's not for America to decide destiny of Northern Ireland but US wants to help every community enjoy fruits of economic development

By The Newsroom
Published 4th Apr 2023, 07:38 BST
Updated 4th Apr 2023, 12:44 BST
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The Ulster Irish made a “profound contribution” to America and are part of a common heritage with the US that bodes well for Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy says today.

Mr Kennedy, who is US Special Envoy to NI for Economic Affairs, writes in the News Letter his first public essay since being appointed to the role by President Joe Biden.

“Since 1998, US support for Northern Ireland’s development has been a cornerstone of our relationship with the UK,” he writes. This has brought “high-value, technology-rich jobs” to the province.

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“About 230 US-owned firms now thrive in Northern Ireland, in large part because of its business-friendly environment.”

Joe Kennedy III speaking at the Ireland Funds 31st National Gala. National Building Museum, in Washington, DCJoe Kennedy III speaking at the Ireland Funds 31st National Gala. National Building Museum, in Washington, DC
Joe Kennedy III speaking at the Ireland Funds 31st National Gala. National Building Museum, in Washington, DC

Mr Kennedy, grandson of the late US attorney general Senator Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated like his brother President John F Kennedy, adds: “Since 1998, Northern Ireland’s economic growth has been remarkable.”

But, perhaps aware of unionist wariness of how the Belfast Agreement has panned out and suspicion of his family's Catholic Irish heritage, he adds: “I want us to look forward rather than back”. And, apparently sensitive to concerns of US interference, he says it isn’t for America “to decide the destiny of Northern Ireland ... [but all communities] should enjoy the fruits of economic development.”

Related topics:Northern IrelandJoe Biden