Tánaiste 'very surprised' by Arlene Foster's comment that Joe Biden 'hates' the UK

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The Tánaiste has addressed comments earlier this week from former DUP leader Arlene Foster that US president Joe Biden “hates” the United Kingdom.

Micheál Martin said he was “very surprised” by the remark.

“The one word that you do not associate with Joe Biden is the word hate,” he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

Mr Martin also said president Biden calling on the UK to work more closely with Ireland to support people in the North was an exhortation for everyone to co-operate.

The Tánaiste said be believed a speech by the president in Belfast earlier in the week could potentially help the political atmosphere in Northern Ireland, where powersharing institutions are currently suspended.

In his remarks to the both House of the Oireachtas on Thursday, Mr Biden said he believed the UK should be working more closely with the Irish Government to support Northern Ireland.

Asked about the comments, Mr Martin said: “I take that as a general exhortation to all of us to work together.

“I am pleased with prime minister [Rishi] Sunak, [Northern Ireland Secretary] Chris Heaton-Harris, there is a closer engagement already over the last while, that could get closer.

“I think the context was clear from the president, he was speaking in the context of all of us.

“He mentions the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Ireland.”

The Tánaiste added: “The Good Friday Agreement really depends on the very close relationship between the British government and the Irish Government.

“That is the anchor to the peace, the anchor to future relationships.”

A number of events have been taking place in Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

However, the Stormont powersharing Assembly, the cornerstone of the peace deal, remains suspended due to DUP concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

During an address in Belfast on Wednesday, Mr Biden said he hoped the institutions would soon return.

Mr Martin said: “I think his remarks will be helpful in terms of the atmosphere, in terms of the next number of weeks and months.

“I think it will have served a purpose, in respect of that I have no doubt.”

He added: “I think the president did get the balance right in terms of that speech, but also in terms of, we are giving time and space to the DUP in terms of their analysis of the Windsor Agreement; but there is no immediate sign yet (of a return to powersharing at Stormont).

“But everybody, including the DUP, would acknowledge that the Windsor Agreement represents very significant progress.

“I think the people of Northern Ireland want the institutions back, of that I am clear, but I think the lessons we have all learnt from experience that it is better, as the President himself said, that people in the north come to the right conclusion, come to it themselves and make their mind up.

“All of the parties are very anxious to get the institutions restored.”