President Joe Biden makes a lot of his Irish roots. This connection has been a cause for celebration in the Republic of Ireland and concern in the UK, significant as the debate over the Northern Ireland protocol formed a large part of discussions at the recent G7 summit. We wanted to find out what people in Northern Ireland think, do they welcome Joe Biden's comments on the border? Or should he stay out of it? We speak with Dr Katy Hayward, Queens University Belfast, Dr Steve Aiken, OBE MLA and former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and party spokesperson on Brexit. We also speak to people on the streets of Derry/Londonderry to find out what they think of Joe Biden's Irish roots and his role in these discussions.
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THE G7 IN CORNWALL, ENGLAND- PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S FIRST IN-PERSON FORAY INTO MAJOR DIPLOMACY AS PRESIDENT.
FROM THE FIRST, BIDEN KEEN TO STRESS HIS COMMITMENT TO THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT AND THE NORTHERN IRISH PEACE PROCESS. THE ISSUE OF THE IRISH BORDER MIRED IN CONTROVERSY THE EU, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE UK ALL HAVE A STAKE.
AS FOR AMERICA- WHY IS BIDEN GETTING INVOLVED?
Katy Hayward, Queens University Belfast,
The US has maintained a great deal of interest in this topic, partly because the US was a really key player of course during the peace process and it feels itself to be with some good reason, a key player when it comes to supporting the ongoing benefits of the peace process
DR STEVE AIKEN OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY IS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTHERN IRELAND. HE SAYS THE CURRENT SITUATION WHICH MAKES NORTHERN IRELAND SUBJECT TO EU RATHER THAN UK TRADE RULES IS UNDERMINING THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS FOCUSING ON THE WRONG PEOPLE.
Dr STEVE AIKEN, OBE MLA Ulster Unionist Party
In fact, what they need to be doing is actually talking to people like me and saying, you know, this is what's actually happening on the ground.
It is undermining democracy, it is undermining this part of the United Kingdom.
WHAT DO THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND THINK? ARE THEY HAPPY THAT AMERICA IS INTERVENING? OR DO THEY THINK BIDEN SHOULD FOCUS HIS ATTENTION ELSEWHERE?
MARK H DURKIN
I like Joe Biden, I've had the privilege of meeting him on a number of occasions and I've always been touched by his interest in ireland. So I very much welcome it.
Thomas Hitch, Derry
It may change something as regards the irish american lobby in America.
But I don't think it's going to change anything.
What has changed in 100 years since, since the border was created?
Chloe Davies
I think it's nice that someone can speak up on our behalf, one of the bigger countries because I feel like we're such a tiny country, Northern Ireland that it's nice to have someone on a global scale, especially the President of the United States um back and are supporting us.
Thomas Doughty
well, obviously, there are issues involving trade between the UK and the United States, and we've got to bear that in mind.But really, I don't think he should be interfering, leave it to us to sort out.
JOE BIDEN OFTEN HAILED AS THE MOST IRISH PRESIDENT SINCE JFK, BUT IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN AN ANCESTRAL CONNECTION TO SOLVE THIS THORNY DIPLOMATIC ISSUE.
