Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 / Mar. 20

Over the last year, we have learned once States of America seeks a future of deeper con- more that suppressing ideas never succeeds in nections between our people, a time when the making them go away. The Iranian people are electronic curtain that divides us is lifted and the heirs to a great and ancient civilization. your voices are heard, a season in which mis- Like people everywhere, they have the univer- trust and fear are overcome by mutual under- sal right to think and speak for themselves. The standing and our common hopes as human be- Iranian Government has a responsibility to re- ings. spect these rights, just as it has a responsibility Thank you, and Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak. to meet its obligations with regard to its nucle- ar program. Let me say again that if the Iranian NOTE: The President’s remarks were recorded Government pursues a responsible path, it will at approximately 12:05 p.m. on March 19 in be welcome once more among the community the Blue Room at the White House. The tran- of nations and the Iranian people will have script was released by the Office of the Press greater opportunities to prosper. Secretary on March 20. The Office of the Press So, in this season of new beginnings, the Secretary also released Persian and Arabic lan- people of Iran should know that the United guage transcripts of these remarks.

Remarks Following a Meeting With Prime Minister Enda Kenny of Ireland March 20, 2012

President Obama. Well, it is my great plea- and putting our people back to work. And the sure to welcome once again Taoiseach, Mr. Taoiseach described to me the steps that Kenny, who has done, I think, extraordinary they’ve taken to try to stabilize the banking sys- work during a very difficult time. Over the last tem there, to get control of their budget, and several years, we’ve been able to strike up a to be in a position to grow in the future. friendship. And you’ll notice that even though And it is important that both the people of technically it is not St. Patrick’s Day, we like to Ireland and the American people understand prolong the party around here. Technically, the extraordinary benefits of trade, commerce, most of the Americans who celebrate St. Pat- and investment between our two countries. rick’s Day aren’t Irish anyway—[laughter]—so We are obviously an extraordinary contributor we shouldn’t go on technicalities. to investment in Ireland, and that’s something I want to thank the Taoiseach, his lovely of great importance to the people of Ireland. wife, and all of the people of Ireland for the ex- Conversely, Irish businesses invest and employ traordinary hospitality they showed Michelle huge numbers of Americans as well. and I when we had the chance to travel there And so we are continuing to identify and de- recently. It was a magical day. It was too short, scribe additional areas where we can strength- so I provided assurances that we will be return- en those strong economic bonds. And I ex- ing. But the warmth and the good will that was pressed to the Taoiseach my confidence in not expressed towards us I think was really repre- only his government’s ability to get Ireland sentative of the deep bonds that exist between moving again, but also we consulted on the the United States and Ireland, bonds that are broader issue of how Europe can begin to grow almost unique among two countries around the again, which obviously has an impact on our world. And the impact obviously that Ireland economy. and Irish American—that Irish culture has had I also had an opportunity to thank him for on the United States is almost unparalleled. the continued exemplary efforts by the men We have had a terrific discussion about a and women in uniform in Ireland who contrib- wide range of issues. Obviously, for both of our ute to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts countries, one of the biggest priorities is get- all around the world, from Kosovo to Lebanon. ting the economy moving in the right direction As I’ve said before, Ireland punches above its

327 Mar. 20 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 weight internationally and has a long history way to go. Otherwise, we’ve made a good, solid rooted in its own experience of making sure start but clearly there are challenges ahead. that not only is peace a priority, but also that I also reported to the President that the con- the human needs of—on issues like hunger are versation around the table of Europe in the last addressed. And even in the midst of a relatively 10 months has shifted from one of being just austere time, Ireland has continued to step up austerity to being one of good budgetary disci- internationally, and we greatly appreciate that. pline, but also where clearly the agenda for I’m pleased to see that progress continues to growth and jobs will now be central to every be made with respect to the agreement in European Council meeting. Northern Ireland, and we discussed how the I gave the President an outline of my views United States wants to continue to be support- in respect of the fiscal compact treaty and how ive on that issue as well. I will expect the Irish people, in their pragma- So once again, Taoiseach, welcome. We are tism and understanding of what the future always pleased to see you here. And the ex- holds, to vote strongly in favor of the treaty and pressions of affection that I experienced when that this represents a real insurance policy both I was in Ireland I’m sure you are experiencing for the country and for the next generation of in return while you are here, because the children, but also not to allow any future gov- American people have just an extraordinary af- ernment to run riot with the people’s money as finity and fondness for the Irish people. And has happened in the past. we are looking forward to you having a very We discussed the question of the develop- productive visit, and we look forward to going ment of the European economies and how oth- over to Capitol Hill well—where even when er countries are making efforts aligned with it’s not St. Patrick’s Day, everybody claims to our own to have that as a central issue for the have a little bit of Irish roots. time ahead. We also discussed the trading links Prime Minister Kenny. [Inaudible]—plea- between the U.S. and Ireland. I pointed out to sure. the President my interaction with the Ameri- President Obama. Thank you. can Chamber of Commerce and the chief ex- Prime Minister Kenny. Could I say, first of ecutives of multinationals in Ireland. We dis- all, I want to thank the President and the First cussed the question of the possibility of semes- Lady for the accommodation last evening. It’s ters, either way, for young people involved in always good to have a place to stay in Washing- innovation and research and education, which ton. And it’s a signal honor to be allowed to is so important in the context of what multina- stay in Blair House, but also to come here to tional companies are actually looking for. the Oval Office and have this conversation this As well as that, we discussed the issue of morning. Syria, and I gave the President a rundown on I’d just like to say that I’ve given the Presi- the last discussions at the European Council dent a rundown on the decisions taken by my meeting. We also discussed the question of government in the last 12 months to stabilize Iran and what the U.S. has said very clearly our public finances and to put our own house about this and the short time window that in order, but also to play a part, clearly, in the there is in that regard. European Union, which is so important in a We referred to the possibility of an opportu- global sense. And from that point of view, I nity to travel again to Ireland, and the Presi- gave the President a rundown on the changes dent has confirmed that in due course. Obvi- in the structure of banks, the decisions taken ously, he’s got a little matter to attend to here by government in relation to public sector in America between this and then. But I just numbers, the forcing down of costs and there- wanted to say to you that it’s a reestablishment, fore the increase in competitiveness, and to re- if you like, and a redefining of the absolutely port to him signs of confidence returning to unique relationship that there is between Ire- the Irish economy. But we still have a very long land and the United States.

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I pointed out to President Obama since my of millions of people who look for real leader- visit here to Chicago, his home city, the ex- ship in this regard. traordinary outpouring of enthusiasm and exu- I thank President Obama and his Govern- berance in the streets of Chicago on Saturday ment and his First Lady for all they do for so and my visit to Notre Dame in South Bend and many people around the world. And as I say, the opportunities that we had in New York to it’s a privilege to be here in the Oval Office to meet with Irish American business, with represent our country and have this opportuni- American investment business, the Ireland in- ty on St. Patrick’s week. [Laughter] vestment day in the stock exchange. Thank you. And here in Washington for the past 2 days has been simply outstanding. And it confirms President Obama. Thank you very much. my belief that the reputation of our country Thank you. has been restored internationally and that the Thank you, everybody. unique relationship that we’ve always had with the United States for so many reasons is excep- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:09 a.m. in tionally strong. And I told the President of the the Oval Office at the White House. In his re- great work being done by Ambassador Rooney, marks, he referred to Fionnuala Kenny, wife of but also that Ireland respects America for what Prime Minister Kenny. Prime Minister Kenny it does, both in our own context, but also to referred to U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Daniel keep the world a safer place for the hundreds M. Rooney.

Remarks at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon March 20, 2012

Thank you. Please. Well, thank you, John. gave to anybody who was making a St. Patrick’s Thank you, everybody. I know we are all glad Day speech. As the story goes, Tip was once to welcome Taoiseach Kenny and his lovely asked to deliver a speech to the Friendly Sons wife back to Washington. Technically, you may of St. Patrick in Pennsylvania. He figured the be aware, it is not St. Patrick’s Day. [Laughter] Irishmen would arrive early, perhaps have a Of course, technically, most Americans who few drinks, relax a little bit, and by the time he celebrate St. Patrick’s Day are not Irish. So it’s stood up to speak, they would applaud any- a wash. [Laughter] thing he said as long as he kept it short. I want to thank our top Irishman in the Then, as Tip was getting dressed, one of White House, Joe Biden, who is here, and the—his aides ran up to him, out of breath, Speaker Boehner for being such a gracious and said he had just found out that no drinking host. I want to welcome Ambassador Collins was allowed before dinner, only afterwards. and Mrs. Collins, distinguished Members of And Tip panicked a little bit. He realized he the House and the Senate, leaders from Ire- had to prepare. So he grabbed a few pages land, Northern Ireland, and Britain. Thank you from “Famous Irishmen of America,” under- all for coming. lined some passages, acted like he had planned I always think about how every Taoiseach it all along. The speech went extraordinarily must leave this luncheon marveling at how well, and afterwards, he was complimented on cheerful and bipartisan Washington is. It’s re- his thoroughness and studiousness in prepar- markable. And that’s something worth aspiring ing for the speech. to, even during an election year. So Tip’s lesson was: Always know your audi- As John mentioned, this wonderful tradition ence, and don’t count on drinks getting you began with Speaker Tip O’Neill and Ronald through the evening. [Laughter] Reagan. And when I was getting ready this But Tip also taught us something else. He morning, I came across some advice that Tip taught us that even in the midst of partisanship

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