| 00:00:5230 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Mr. President and Mrs. Bush, thank you for the welcome and honor which you've extended to our delegation, and to all the Irish guests, from North and... |
| 00:01:2223 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Exactly 10 years ago I paid my first visit here as Taoiseach, just a month before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, in April of 1998. As you... |
| 00:01:4537 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
In March of 2001, Mr. President, you and I held our first meeting here together, and on that day you pledged the full support of the United States for... |
| 00:02:2213 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
This morning, Mr. President, we are all glad to say, and enormously pleased and proud to stand here and say that we've achieved peace in Ireland. It's... |
| 00:02:3515 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Your personal role, President, in the process and in the precious achievement is deeply appreciated by all of us, as is the commitment and support of... |
| 00:02:5035 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Today is a day when we say thank you to the great country for all that you've done, and you continue to do, for Ireland. On St. Patrick's Day, 2008,... |
| 00:03:2535 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Bringing us to this glad and historic point in Irish history has demanded vision and courage. At this time of unprecedented optimism and promise in... |
| 00:04:0021 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
I hope that Ireland can now begin to share the lessons of our peace efforts with others in the world who suffer the pain and loss of conflict and division.... |
| 00:04:2119 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
We look forward with great hope to the Economic Investment Conference in Northern Ireland in May. And your support, President, given at the press briefing... |
| 00:04:4014 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
We also look forward to seeing the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Executive, as agreed at St. Andrew's. This will be the... |
| 00:04:5438 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
This year, Mr. President, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Hoban, one of Ireland's most famous immigrant sons. I know that date... |
| 00:05:3222 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
We take great pride, also, in the contribution of all our immigrants to the United States, and acknowledge, Mr. President, your efforts in recent times... |
| 00:05:5436 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
The relationship between Ireland and the United States is as strong and as close as it is rooted and proud. It is often been described as unique. In... |
| 00:06:3046 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Both of us, Mr. President, have recently had the opportunity to visit Africa. You've taken transforming the bold steps of the fight against HIV/AIDS... |
| 00:07:168 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
And that effort that the President has made, and that leadership which he's made has made a real difference to a very challenged continent. |
| 00:07:2417 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Ireland, too, has been playing its part. We have tripled our overseas development aid over the past five years. We're well on our way to reaching U.N.... |
| 00:07:4127 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th anniversary will be celebrated soon, has inspired generations across America and in Europe. Mr. President, you said some... |
| 00:08:0817 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
Over the generations, Ireland has given its people to America. In return America today has enabled so much to be accomplished in Ireland. I stand here... |
| 00:08:2517 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
And finally, Mr. President, can I thank you for your hospitality today and for treasuring the wonderful tradition that is St. Patrick's Day in the White... |
| 00:08:4238 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
President, as we say good-bye on this occasion, but hopefully we'll keep in touch over the years, I will remember -- and I hope that everyone in Ireland... |
| 00:09:2042 sec. |
Ahern, Bertie - Prime Minister
And, President, I wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day. I thank you and Laura, I thank your family, I thank all your people here that we worked with for... |
| 00:10:0233 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
Taoiseach, thanks. Small island; huge impact on the United States of America. (Laughter.) Laura and I are glad you're here. We welcome you back to the... |
| 00:10:3529 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
Also proud to be here with John O'Donoghue, the Speaker of the D il. Welcome. Members of my Cabinet who are here, thank you for coming. Members of the... |
| 00:11:0434 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
How about members of the Fire Department of New York's Emerald Society -- I thank you for coming. (Applause.) They proudly carry the title, "New York's... |
| 00:11:3819 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
And finally, I will be introducing soon Ronan Tynan to entertain us a little bit. He is a wonderful representative of your country. He's a dear friend... |
| 00:11:5739 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
You know, Taoiseach, you were awfully diplomatic to talk about the fact that the architect came back to rebuild the White House -- (laughter) -- after... |
| 00:12:3627 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
I don't know if you know this, but America held its first St. Patrick's Day celebration in Boston in the year 1737. I don't think you were there, Congressman,... |
| 00:13:0342 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
We've had a long relationship, Taoiseach. Our history has been one where the United States and Ireland have made liberty our common cause, and both... |
| 00:13:4535 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
It's an interesting poster that somebody brought to my attention that said this: "In the United States, an industrious youth may follow any occupation... |
| 00:14:2059 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
And that's what we celebrate on St. Patrick's Day. Our countries are more than just partners, we are family, Taoiseach. And today more than 35 million... |
| 00:15:1947 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
I want to congratulate the Taoiseach. He was very generous in his praise about America's role, previous administration's role, hopefully our role in... |
| 00:16:0649 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
But I came away with the impression that obviously the United States needs to help, and we will. But nothing will happen without clear conviction and... |
| 00:16:5513 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
And so, Taoiseach, I, like you, marvel at the success that's taken place since my short time as President, and know full well that more progress can,... |
| 00:17:0815 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
You know, there's an old Irish proverb that says, "There is no strength without unity." And so on this St. Patrick's Day, we can all take pride in the... |
| 00:17:2320 sec. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
My last time as President to have a St. Patrick's Day with you, Taoiseach. Perhaps when we join the ex-leaders club, we'll sit back and put our feet... |
| 00:17:439 min. |
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States
Thank you for coming. God bless the people of Ireland and the United States. And now I welcome Ronan Tynan. |