ballot box and seeing first at the ballot box and seeing each _ first at the ballot box and seeing each other through the lens of a common— each other through the lens of a common humanity which again when i first came _ common humanity which again when i first came here as a young senator did not_ first came here as a young senator did not seem realistic. it took pioneering women across all communities and parties that said enough _ communities and parties that said enough and demanded change as well as a seat_ enough and demanded change as well as a seat at_ enough and demanded change as well as a seat at the negotiating table including — as a seat at the negotiating table including through the women coalition. it took a determined effort, — coalition. it took a determined effort, somebody who embodies the commitment to all the people, senator— commitment to all the people, senator george mitchell. his time serving as special on boy for northern ireland is one of the great _ for northern ireland is one of the great times in history of the right person— great times in history of the right person in— great times in history of the right person in the rightjob great times in history of the right person in the right job at the right time _ person in the right job at the right time i_ person in the right job at the right time. i think sometimes when the distance _ time. i think sometimes when the distance of— time. i think sometimes when the distance of history, we forget how hard earned, how astounding that

peace _ hard earned, how astounding that peace was — hard earned, how astounding that peace was at the moment. it shifted the political gravity of our world, titeratty — the political gravity of our world, titeratty it — the political gravity of our world, literally it shifted the political gravity~ — literally it shifted the political gravity. in 1998 it was the longest running _ gravity. in 1998 it was the longest running conflict in europe since the end of— running conflict in europe since the end of world war ii. thousands of famities— end of world war ii. thousands of families had been affected by the troubles, — families had been affected by the troubles, the losses were real, the pain was— troubles, the losses were real, the pain was personal, i don't need to tell people — pain was personal, i don't need to tell people in this audience. every person— tell people in this audience. every person killed in the troubles left an empty— person killed in the troubles left an empty chairat person killed in the troubles left an empty chair at the dining room table— an empty chair at the dining room table and— an empty chair at the dining room table and a — an empty chair at the dining room table and a hole in the heart that was never— table and a hole in the heart that was never filled of the ones they lost _ was never filled of the ones they lost. peace was not inevitable. we can't _ lost. peace was not inevitable. we can't ever— lost. peace was not inevitable. we can't ever forget that. there was nothing — can't ever forget that. there was nothing inevitable about it. as george — nothing inevitable about it. as george mitchell often said, the negotiations had 700 days of failure and one _ negotiations had 700 days of failure and one day of success. 700 days of failure _ and one day of success. 700 days of failure and _ and one day of success. 700 days of failure and one day of success. but they kept— failure and one day of success. but they kept going because george and all the _ they kept going because george and all the many others never stopped betieving — all the many others never stopped believing that success was possible.

and i_ believing that success was possible. and i want _ believing that success was possible. and i want all of you to know, especially— and i want all of you to know, especially the young people in the audience — especially the young people in the audience today... don'tjump, 0k? audience today... don't jump, 0k? 0h, audience today... don't jump, 0k? 0h. i_ audience today... don't jump, 0k? 0h. ididn't— audience today... don'tjump, 0k? oh, i didn't see all of you up there! — 0h, ididn't see all of you up there! my— oh, i didn't see all of you up there! my father would say, please excuse _ there! my father would say, please excuse my— there! my father would say, please excuse my back, i apologise! there! my father would say, please excuse my back, iapologise! but there! my father would say, please excuse my back, i apologise! but all kidding _ excuse my back, i apologise! but all kidding aside, the american people are with _ kidding aside, the american people are with you every step of the way, it is reat~ _ are with you every step of the way, it is real. those of you who have been _ it is real. those of you who have been to — it is real. those of you who have been to america know that there is a large _ been to america know that there is a large population that is invested in what happens here, that cares a great _ what happens here, that cares a great deal— what happens here, that cares a great deal about what happens here. supporting the people of northern iretand, _ supporting the people of northern ireland, protecting the peace, preserving the belfast good friday agreement is a priority for democrats and republicans alike in the united states, and that is unusual— the united states, and that is unusual today, the united states, and that is unusualtoday, because the united states, and that is unusual today, because we have been very divided _ unusual today, because we have been very divided in our parties. this is something — very divided in our parties. this is something that brings washington together, that brings america together. i spoke about this with

northern— together. i spoke about this with northern ireland's political leaders, as well as the taoiseach in our saint— leaders, as well as the taoiseach in our saint patrick's day celebration at the _ our saint patrick's day celebration at the white house. it has been a key focus — at the white house. it has been a key focus for me through out my career _ key focus for me through out my career i— key focus for me through out my career. i rememberworking as key focus for me through out my career. i remember working as a senator, — career. i remember working as a senator, seeing how the united states— senator, seeing how the united states could support and encourage any move _ states could support and encourage any move towards peace. i got elected _ any move towards peace. i got elected in — any move towards peace. i got elected in 1972 is a 29—year—old kid to the _ elected in 1972 is a 29—year—old kid to the united states senate, and it wasiust_ to the united states senate, and it wasjust the start to the united states senate, and it was just the start of it, to the united states senate, and it wasjust the start of it, it seemed like it— wasjust the start of it, it seemed like it was— wasjust the start of it, it seemed like it was a — wasjust the start of it, it seemed like it was a goal that was so far away _ like it was a goal that was so far away i— like it was a goal that was so far away. i remember coming here, as i said, _ away. i remember coming here, as i said. in— away. i remember coming here, as i said. int-991,— away. i remember coming here, as i said, in1991, seeing away. i remember coming here, as i said, in 1991, seeing the city divided _ said, in 1991, seeing the city divided and barricaded, then in 1994. — divided and barricaded, then in 1994, when the ceasefire was declared, it was like a sea change, the tide _ declared, it was like a sea change, the tide of— declared, it was like a sea change, the tide of violence began to receive. _ the tide of violence began to receive, help rolling in. in 1998, overwhelming joy. receive, help rolling in. in 1998, overwhelmingjoy. it receive, help rolling in. in 1998, overwhelming joy. it was hard to communicate just how deeply invested in your— communicate just how deeply invested in your success that people across the united — in your success that people across the united states. those of you have been there _ the united states. those of you have been there know it, you know i'm not

making _ been there know it, you know i'm not making this _ been there know it, you know i'm not making this up, this is real, can taste _ making this up, this is real, can taste it — making this up, this is real, can taste it it — making this up, this is real, can taste it it is _ making this up, this is real, can taste it. it is the family ties, the bride, _ taste it. it is the family ties, the bride, of— taste it. it is the family ties, the pride, of the ulster scots immigrants who helped found and build my— immigrants who helped found and build my country. they run very deep, _ build my country. they run very deep. verv— build my country. they run very deep, very deep. men born in ulster were among — deep, very deep. men born in ulster were among those who signed the declaration of independence of the united _ declaration of independence of the united states, pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honour— their fortunes and their sacred honour for— their fortunes and their sacred honour for freedom's cause. the man who brinted _ honour for freedom's cause. the man who printed the revolutionary document hailed from county tyrone. and countless others found new lives of opportunity across the atlantic, planting _ of opportunity across the atlantic, planting farms, finding communities, starting _ planting farms, finding communities, starting businesses, never forgetting the connection to this island _ forgetting the connection to this island as— forgetting the connection to this island. as a matter of fact, as you walk— island. as a matter of fact, as you walk into — island. as a matter of fact, as you walk into my— island. as a matter of fact, as you walk into my office, in the oval office, — walk into my office, in the oval office, in— walk into my office, in the oval office, in the united states capitol. _ office, in the united states capitol, guess what, you know who founded _ capitol, guess what, you know who founded and designed and built the white _ founded and designed and built the white house? an irishman! no, not a

joke, _ white house? an irishman! no, not a joke, not— white house? an irishman! no, not a joke, not a _ white house? an irishman! no, not a joke, not a joke. white house? an irishman! no, not a joke, not ajoke. passing it white house? an irishman! no, not a joke, not a joke. passing it down generation— joke, not a joke. passing it down generation after generation. your history— generation after generation. your history is— generation after generation. your history is our history. but even more _ history is our history. but even more importantly, your future is america's— more importantly, your future is america's future. today's belfast is the beating heart of northern lreland, — the beating heart of northern ireland, and it is poised to drive unprecedented economic opportunity and investment, for communities across— and investment, for communities across the — and investment, for communities across the uk, ireland and the united — across the uk, ireland and the united states. the simple truth is that peace — united states. the simple truth is that peace and economic opportunity io that peace and economic opportunity go together. peace and economic opportunity go together. 25 years since _ opportunity go together. 25 years since the — opportunity go together. 25 years since the good friday agreement, northern— since the good friday agreement, northern ireland's gdp has literally doubled, _ northern ireland's gdp has literally doubled, doubled. i predict to you that if— doubled, doubled. i predict to you that if things continue to move in the right— that if things continue to move in the right direction, it will more than _ the right direction, it will more than triple. there are scores of major— than triple. there are scores of major american corporations wanting to come _ major american corporations wanting to come here, wanting to invest.

many— to come here, wanting to invest. many have — to come here, wanting to invest. many have already made homes in northern— many have already made homes in northern ireland, employing over 30,000 _ northern ireland, employing over 30,000 people. injust the past decade. — 30,000 people. injust the past decade, american business has generated almost $2 billion in investment in the region. today, northern— investment in the region. today, northern ireland is a churn of creativity. _ northern ireland is a churn of creativity, art, poetry, theatre, some _ creativity, art, poetry, theatre, some of— creativity, art, poetry, theatre, some of our— creativity, art, poetry, theatre, some of our favourite television shows _ some of our favourite television shows and — some of our favourite television shows and movies are filmed here, as you know _ shows and movies are filmed here, as you know. and i understand the stars of a recent— you know. and i understand the stars of a recent oscar—winning film, and the son— of a recent oscar—winning film, and the son of— of a recent oscar—winning film, and the son of a — of a recent oscar—winning film, and the son of a belfast barrister, james — the son of a belfast barrister, james martin, is here today. where are you? _ i guard to majorjames, and i got my

picture _ i guard to majorjames, and i got my picture taken, i will go home and brag _ picture taken, i will go home and brag to— picture taken, i will go home and brag to my— picture taken, i will go home and brag to my daughter. cruise ships backed _ brag to my daughter. cruise ships packed with tourists pack belfast pod, packed with tourists pack belfast bod. and — packed with tourists pack belfast pod, and young people can see the future _ pod, and young people can see the future speaking to unlimited possibilities here. how many have you have — possibilities here. how many have you have heard over the years, there is nothing _ you have heard over the years, there is nothing for— you have heard over the years, there is nothing for me here, i have got to leave? — is nothing for me here, i have got to leave? it — is nothing for me here, i have got to leave? it is not happening now. it is to leave? it is not happening now. it is up _ to leave? it is not happening now. it is up to— to leave? it is not happening now. it is up to us— to leave? it is not happening now. it is up to us to keep this going, to keep — it is up to us to keep this going, to keep building on the work that has been — to keep building on the work that has been done every day of the last 25 years. _ has been done every day of the last 25 years. to— has been done every day of the last 25 years, to sustain the pace, unleash— 25 years, to sustain the pace, unleash this incredible economic opportunity which isjust beginning, i opportunity which isjust beginning, i promise _ opportunity which isjust beginning, i promise you, you think i'm joking, it isiust _ i promise you, you think i'm joking, it isjust beginning, we have to 'ust it isjust beginning, we have to just keep — it isjust beginning, we have to just keep it going. we all know there _ just keep it going. we all know there is— just keep it going. we all know there is more we can do together. you know. — there is more we can do together. you know, there so much energy and dvnamism _ you know, there so much energy and dynamism among young people, blazing

their own _ dynamism among young people, blazing their own trials, connecting to the global— their own trials, connecting to the global community of entrepreneurs. and voung _ global community of entrepreneurs. and young people in northern ireland are on— and young people in northern ireland are on the _ and young people in northern ireland are on the cutting edge of sectors that will— are on the cutting edge of sectors that will define so much of the future, — that will define so much of the future, cyber, technology, clean energy. — future, cyber, technology, clean energy, life sciences. here are northern— energy, life sciences. here are northern ireland, programmes like voung _ northern ireland, programmes like young enterprise northern ireland bring _ young enterprise northern ireland bring thousands of young people together to pursue goals as entrepreneurs. that is why i asked my new— entrepreneurs. that is why i asked my new special envoy to northern lreland _ my new special envoy to northern lreland to — my new special envoy to northern ireland to help supercharge that work. _ ireland to help supercharge that work. to— ireland to help supercharge that work, to bring more businesses, more investment, _ work, to bring more businesses, more investment, more opportunity here to northern— investment, more opportunity here to northern ireland and help realise the enormous economic potential of this region — the enormous economic potential of this region. i know parenthetically when _ this region. i know parenthetically when that— this region. i know parenthetically when that happens here, it gives five to— when that happens here, it gives five to people around the world. if it can _ five to people around the world. if it can be _ five to people around the world. if it can be done here, it can be done in my— it can be done here, it can be done in my community. not a joke. the world _ in my community. not a joke. the world is— in my community. not a joke. the world is changing. it is changing

drastically, and it presents enormous opportunity but also significant dangers. to that end, later— significant dangers. to that end, later this — significant dangers. to that end, later this year, joe will be leading a trade _ later this year, joe will be leading a trade delegation of american companies to northern ireland. now, i companies to northern ireland. now, i know— companies to northern ireland. now, i know the _ companies to northern ireland. now, i know the uk's departure from the european _ i know the uk's departure from the european union created complex challenges here in northern ireland, and i encourage the leaders of the uk and _ and i encourage the leaders of the uk and the — and i encourage the leaders of the uk and the eu to address the issues in a way— uk and the eu to address the issues in a way that serve northern ireland's_ in a way that serve northern ireland's best interests. i deeply appreciate the personal leadership of prime _ appreciate the personal leadership of prime minister sunak and commissioner von der leyen to reach an agreement. the windsor framework addresses— an agreement. the windsor framework addresses the practical realities of brexit— addresses the practical realities of brexit and the essentials steps to ensuring — brexit and the essentials steps to ensuring the hardened piece of the good _ ensuring the hardened piece of the good friday agreement is preserved and strengthened. now, the negotiators listen to business leaders — negotiators listen to business leaders across the uk and ireland, who shared — leaders across the uk and ireland, who shared what they needed to succeed — who shared what they needed to succeed. and i believe the stability

and predictability offered by this framework will encourage greater investment in northern ireland, significant investment in northern lreland _ significant investment in northern lreland i— significant investment in northern ireland. i come from a little state, the state _ ireland. i come from a little state, the state of — ireland. i come from a little state, the state of delaware back home, it is more _ the state of delaware back home, it is more corporations that are registered in that state than in every— registered in that state than in every other state in the union combined, so i know a little bit about— combined, so i know a little bit about the — combined, so i know a little bit about the corporate attitudes. all the immense progress we see around us was _ the immense progress we see around us was built— the immense progress we see around us was built through conversation and compromise, discussion and debate, — and compromise, discussion and debate, voting and inclusion, an incredible — debate, voting and inclusion, an incredible attestation to the power of democracy to deliver these for all people. and i know better than most _ all people. and i know better than most how— all people. and i know better than most how hard democracy can be at times _ most how hard democracy can be at times we _ most how hard democracy can be at times we in — most how hard democracy can be at times. we in the united states have first-hand _ times. we in the united states have first—hand experience of how fragile even long—standing aquatic institutions can be. you saw what happened — institutions can be. you saw what happened onjanuary the 6th in my countrv _ happened onjanuary the 6th in my country. we learn anew with every generation — country. we learn anew with every generation that democracy needs

champions. when i went to college, i was a _ champions. when i went to college, i was a political science major, history— was a political science major, history major, and we were told that every— history major, and we were told that every generation has to fight to preserve — every generation has to fight to preserve democracy. i didn't believe it at the _ preserve democracy. i didn't believe it at the time, ijust thought it was _ it at the time, ijust thought it was automatic, we had this great democracy, what would we need to do? as a friend. _ democracy, what would we need to do? asa friend. i_ democracy, what would we need to do? as a friend, i hope it is not too presumptuous to say that i believe democratic institutions established in the _ democratic institutions established in the good friday agreement remain critical— in the good friday agreement remain critical to— in the good friday agreement remain critical to the future of northern lreland — critical to the future of northern lreland it — critical to the future of northern ireland. it is a decision for you to make, _ ireland. it is a decision for you to make. not— ireland. it is a decision for you to make, not me to make. but it seems to me _ make, not me to make. but it seems to me that— make, not me to make. but it seems to me that they are related. an effective — to me that they are related. an effective devolved government reflects — effective devolved government reflects the people of northern lreland — reflects the people of northern ireland and is accountable to them. a government that works to find ways through— a government that works to find ways through hard problems together is going _ through hard problems together is going to _ through hard problems together is going to draw even greater opportunity in this region. so i hope _ opportunity in this region. so i hope the — opportunity in this region. so i hope the assembly and the executive will soon _ hope the assembly and the executive will soon be restored, but it is a judgment — will soon be restored, but it is a judgment for you to make, not me.

but i _ judgment for you to make, not me. but i hope — judgment for you to make, not me. but i hope it— judgment for you to make, not me. but i hope it happens, along with the institutions that facilitate north—south and east—west relations, all vital— north—south and east—west relations, all vital pieces of the good friday agreement. in politics, no matter what _ agreement. in politics, no matter what divides us, if we look hard enough. — what divides us, if we look hard enough, there are always areas that will bring _ enough, there are always areas that will bring us together if we look hard _ will bring us together if we look hard enough. standing for peace, reiecting — hard enough. standing for peace, rejecting political violence, must be one _ rejecting political violence, must be one of— rejecting political violence, must be one of those things. so i want... so i be one of those things. so i want... so i want _ be one of those things. so i want... so i want to— be one of those things. so i want... so i want to once more recognise the way the _ so i want to once more recognise the way the leaders of northern ireland's major political parties come _ ireland's major political parties come together in the wake of attempted murder of detective chief inspector— attempted murder of detective chief inspector steven caldwell to show that the _ inspector steven caldwell to show that the enemies of peace will not prevail~ _ that the enemies of peace will not prevail. northern ireland will not io prevail. northern ireland will not go back, — prevail. northern ireland will not go back, pray guard. the attack was a hard _ go back, pray guard. the attack was a hard reminderthat there go back, pray guard. the attack was a hard reminder that there will always— a hard reminder that there will always be _ a hard reminder that there will always be those who seek to attack rather _ always be those who seek to attack rather than — always be those who seek to attack rather than rebuild, but the lesson of the _ rather than rebuild, but the lesson of the good friday agreement is that when things seem fragile or easily

broken. _ when things seem fragile or easily broken, that is when hope and hard work— broken, that is when hope and hard work and _ broken, that is when hope and hard work and needed the most. that is when _ work and needed the most. that is when we _ work and needed the most. that is when we must make our theme repair, repair, _ when we must make our theme repair, repair, and— when we must make our theme repair, repair, and in— when we must make our theme repair, repair, and in the holy easter season, _ repair, and in the holy easter season, when christians celebrate renewal _ season, when christians celebrate renewal and life, the good friday agreement showed us that there is hope for— agreement showed us that there is hope for repair, even in the most awful— hope for repair, even in the most awful breakages. you know, it helped people _ awful breakages. you know, it helped people all— awful breakages. you know, it helped people all around the world, to hope for renewal— people all around the world, to hope for renewal and progress in their own lives — for renewal and progress in their own lives. most of all, it allowed an entire — own lives. most of all, it allowed an entire generation of young people in northern ireland and across the uk and _ in northern ireland and across the uk and the — in northern ireland and across the uk and the republic of ireland to grow— uk and the republic of ireland to growup— uk and the republic of ireland to grow up in— uk and the republic of ireland to grow up in a society mended by connection, made stronger by interdependence and respect. young people _ interdependence and respect. young people like gabrielle, who we heard from earlier, her success and her opportunities have been underwritten by the _

opportunities have been underwritten by the good friday agreement. young people _ by the good friday agreement. young people like _ by the good friday agreement. young people like jordan graham, born less than three _ people like jordan graham, born less than three weeks after the agreement was signed in 1998, his whole life, his whole — was signed in 1998, his whole life, his whole life has unfolded under the wing — his whole life has unfolded under the wing of peace, which means not quite _ the wing of peace, which means not quite 25_ the wing of peace, which means not quite 25 years of age, he has been able to— quite 25 years of age, he has been able to build an expertise in branding _ able to build an expertise in branding and marketing that he has used to— branding and marketing that he has used to grow local businesses, support— used to grow local businesses, support start—ups, consult for charities _ support start—ups, consult for charities. young people like amy, born in— charities. young people like amy, born in 2000, whose parents like to tell the _ born in 2000, whose parents like to tell the story of how she came home from her— tell the story of how she came home from her first day of secondary school — from her first day of secondary school and asked, what is the difference between a protestant and a catholic? what is the difference between — a catholic? what is the difference between a protestant and a catholic? she didn't _ between a protestant and a catholic? she didn't grow up thinking of sectarian _ she didn't grow up thinking of sectarian divides, she grew up thinking — sectarian divides, she grew up thinking about how she could support her beloved brother and other children— her beloved brother and other children with autism. today, amy's social— children with autism. today, amy's social enterprise has donated more

than 5000 — social enterprise has donated more than 5000 copies of her book to schools— than 5000 copies of her book to schools across northern ireland to help children better understand autism — help children better understand autism and to learn to treat others with kindness and respect. that's the real— with kindness and respect. that's the real power of the good friday agreement. compassion. compassion. a change _ agreement. compassion. compassion. a change to— agreement. compassion. compassion. a change to how this entire region sees _ change to how this entire region sees itself. in the words of belfast's first poet laureate, what is left _ belfast's first poet laureate, what is left is _ belfast's first poet laureate, what is left is dark and quiet but book ended _ is left is dark and quiet but book ended by— is left is dark and quiet but book ended by light as the opening of a dill cabin— ended by light as the opening of a dill cabin door, and what happens outside _ dill cabin door, and what happens outside is — dill cabin door, and what happens outside is technicolour, what happens _ outside is technicolour, what happens outside is technicolour. this place — happens outside is technicolour. this place is transformed by peace, made _ this place is transformed by peace, made technicolour by peace, made whole _ made technicolour by peace, made whole by— made technicolour by peace, made whole by peace. so today, i come to belfast _ whole by peace. so today, i come to belfast to _ whole by peace. so today, i come to belfast to pledge to all the people

of northern ireland, the united states— of northern ireland, the united states of— of northern ireland, the united states of america will continue to be your— states of america will continue to be your partner in building the future — be your partner in building the future that young people of our world _ future that young people of our world deserve. it matters to us, to americans. — world deserve. it matters to us, to americans, and to me personally. it genuinely— americans, and to me personally. it genuinely matters if you travel in my country. so let's celebrate 25 extraordinary years by recommitting to renewal, — extraordinary years by recommitting to renewal, repair, by making this exceptional— to renewal, repair, by making this exceptional peace the birthright of every— exceptional peace the birthright of every child in northern ireland for all the _ every child in northern ireland for all the days to come. that's what we should _ all the days to come. that's what we should be _ all the days to come. that's what we should be doing, god willing to be able to— should be doing, god willing to be able to do— should be doing, god willing to be able to do it. thank you for listening. _ able to do it. thank you for listening, and may god bring you the peace _ listening, and may god bring you the peace we _ listening, and may god bring you the peace we need. thank you. applause

studio: president biden getting a huge round of applause as he finishes his address at ulster university. it was a full speech, touching on lots of different points. let me just take you through some of the things that he said. peace was not inevitable, we can neverforget that. he said that peace in northern ireland shifted the political gravity in our world, the troubles,

the longest running conflict anew since the end of world war ii, he discussed how personal the pain was, how every person killed left a empty chair at the dining room table. he quoted george mitchell, 700 days of ferry and just one day of success in the peace negotiations, but he says that they kept going because those involved believe that peace was possible. we also talked about the dividends of peace being all around us, remarking on the signing of the good friday agreement 25 years ago this week, and he told everyone gathered in the audience that there were no guarantees they would be able to deliver the progress that we now see today. he added that it took people coming together all across northern ireland to make it work stops are what we are seeing now is him shaking hands, meeting the invited guests and the students who have gathered to hear him as well. so his remarks being widely analysed

now, as he also talked about the last time he was in belfast in 1991, and it started poignantly, his speech, when he said you couldn't have had a glass building in this neighbourhood due to all of the troubles. things are changing, press biden said, and he thanked his house, saying it had been wonderful to meet all the different party leaders from northern ireland. let's bring in brendan hughes, who has been listening to the speech, what did you make of it?— did you make of it? well, i think ou hit did you make of it? well, i think you hit all— did you make of it? well, i think you hit all of— did you make of it? well, i think you hit all of the _ did you make of it? well, i think you hit all of the notes - did you make of it? well, i think you hit all of the notes we - did you make of it? well, i think you hit all of the notes we were | you hit all of the notes we were expecting, the us president, on his visit to belfast. this visit had been very carefully choreographed, because he is dealing with the sensitive issue of northern ireland in which, i suppose, he is coming to northern ireland whenever unionists feel that his position and the us administration's position in northern ireland has not been

neutral, so he has have two carefully worded his speech, but the general message from the us president has been one of support for northern ireland, one of continued support for the good friday agreement, and one where the us government wants to help northern ireland prosperfrom us government wants to help northern ireland prosper from the us government wants to help northern ireland prosperfrom the peace us government wants to help northern ireland prosper from the peace that we have seen over the past 25 years. i think the most surprising thing was that he didn't seem to quote seamus heaney, a poet from the north of island, who he is famously known for quoting, so he stepped away from quoting seamus heaney, but in relation to all the other beats from the speech, i think it was very much what we expected. i think the delivery perhaps was not as emphatic or assured us we would come to expect from previous presidents who have been to northern ireland, he clearly was reading off an autocue or from clearly was reading off an autocue orfrom his notes. but i think that the content is something that, really, i don't think anyone can disagree with in northern ireland,

because it is something that most people will be able to get behind. we talked, of course, a lot about the good friday agreement, starting by saying that the dividends of peace are all around us, this glass building behind us wouldn't have been possible 25 years ago. for people who do not know the history, how different were things before the good friday agreement was signed? j good friday agreement was signed? i think he is referring to how, back during the troubles, three decades of violence in northern ireland, the city centre in which we stand today would have been incredibly locked down, there would have been bombings in the city centre, so he is really saying that the idea of having this massive new £350 million campus, university campus in the city centre where lots of young people will be congregating over future years, where lots of young people will be congregating overfuture years, and the fact that a lot of it is made of glass is just something that we would not have foreseen during the troubles, really. the city centre was effectively a no—go area for many decades, it was a place where,

you know, you would go on do your shopping, but not somewhere you would contemplate leaving all studying. so clearly that has changed, as well as the belfast campus that we have where students are congregating in the city centre, leading to a lot more investment in terms of high rise student blocks of flats that are built on the other side of the university here as well, so clearly there is a significant investment he is referring to. i think that is why he chose, the us government chose this location for his speech, instead of going to parliament buildings, the location of the devolved assembly, because it is not functioning, not a great news story for the us government to use as a setting for this speech. but looking towards the future and looking towards the future and looking at, you know, this new campus and looking at the future prosperity that could come for northern ireland through the peace dividend, as he referred to, from

the good friday agreement, it is really the positive message that the us wants to try and promote, and i suppose associate itself with. he talked about power—sharing, the effect of devolved and reflecting the people of northern ireland and accountable to them, working to find ways to face hard problems together, and he says, i hope they set me on the executive will soon be restored, along with opportunities to facilitate relationships between north and south, but he said that is a decision for you to make, not for me, northern ireland will not go back, pray god. nothing controversial in what he says, so what we were expecting. ida. controversial in what he says, so what we were expecting. no, this is a case of the _ what we were expecting. no, this is a case of the us _ what we were expecting. no, this is a case of the us government - what we were expecting. no, this is a case of the us government and i a case of the us government and president biden saying that we are not going to be pushing or lobbying for the northern ireland executive or northern ireland parties to take a particular position, but i think they will be gently, and we are seeing this through the speech, encouraging the stormont parties, particularly the dup, to go back

into power—sharing in northern ireland. i think we saw that in his reference to the windsor framework, which is the new post—brexit trading deal arrangement for goods moving between great britain and northern ireland. in between great britain and northern ireland. , .. between great britain and northern ireland. , ., , ireland. in his exact words, he said, ireland. in his exact words, he said. brexit — ireland. in his exact words, he said, brexit and _ ireland. in his exact words, he said, brexit and what - ireland. in his exact words, he said, brexit and what has - ireland. in his exact words, he - said, brexit and what has happened since creates complex challenges, thatis since creates complex challenges, that is one way of looking at it! yes, and i think we would have seen over a number of years now that the us government and joe biden's position has very much been in support, many people would say, particularly unionists would say, of the eu position on the irish government position, which has been supportive of the northern ireland protocol and has been supportive of, i suppose, maintaining an open [and border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland, sort of prioritising that. but he of course wants to see a reduction of checks and red tape on goods that are moving between great britain and northern ireland, and in terms of his speech, what is he saying, he

sees the windsor framework is a way of doing that and he's supportive of that, basically saying that if it is the case that the windsor framework is supported on the northern ireland parties get back to stormont, there could be future economic opportunities, particularly investment from the us. what is it about the windsor _ investment from the us. what is it about the windsor framework - investment from the us. what is it about the windsor framework that| investment from the us. what is it. about the windsor framework that the dup does not like?— dup does not like? well, the dup is still concerned _ dup does not like? well, the dup is still concerned that _ dup does not like? well, the dup is still concerned that this _ dup does not like? well, the dup is still concerned that this really - still concerned that this really cuts off northern ireland from the rest of the united kingdom, because even though there have been a lot of checks and red tape as a result of the post—brexit trading arrangements that have been addressed through the windsor framework, there is still a concern for the dup that there is a continuance of eu law operating in northern ireland, whereas of course the rest of the united kingdom has left the european union, and so therefore it is able to trade freely with other countries and doesn't have to be tied to european union laws. so that is the concern, really, for the dup, both in terms

of trade and the impact it will have on maintaining a link with the rest of the united kingdom economic market, but there is also concern over sovereignty and what impact that has on unionists' perception of their place within the united kingdom. tote their place within the united kinudom. ~ ., their place within the united kinudom. ~ . , their place within the united kinadom. ~ . , . . kingdom. we are still watching aictures kingdom. we are still watching pictures of _ kingdom. we are still watching pictures of president _ kingdom. we are still watching pictures of president biden - kingdom. we are still watching i pictures of president biden there, mingling with the crowd. people look thrilled, actually, to meet, as you would be coming to meet a us president is quite something. so many other people the audience are young, because we are at the university, and he did say that young people in northern ireland are at the cutting edge of the future. if we went into that hole and ask young people what their hopes and aspirations are for northern ireland, what sort of priorities would they have? i ireland, what sort of priorities would they have?— ireland, what sort of priorities would they have? i think that the main priority. _ would they have? i think that the main priority, and _ would they have? i think that the main priority, and we _ would they have? i think that the main priority, and we have - would they have? i think that the main priority, and we have seen l would they have? i think that the i main priority, and we have seen this in the assembly election that happened last may, may last year, i think the priorities for those young people would be to see northern ireland work. i think that over a

number of years now, particularly young people have been concerned about the impact that it has on devolution, the impact it has on power—sharing, and the fact that it has not been working now for more than a year, so really i think the president wants to see the power—sharing executive back up and running so they can see that prosperity that he has talked about coming to fruition. and prosperity that he has talked about coming to fruition.— prosperity that he has talked about coming to fruition. and what do they think about the _ coming to fruition. and what do they think about the problems _ coming to fruition. and what do they think about the problems in - think about the problems in society here? a few days ago, when i first arrived, we were reflecting on the good friday agreement, and they said it was an agreement not to fix society. i it was an agreement not to fix socie . ~' . ., ., society. i think there were a lot of compromises _ society. i think there were a lot of compromises in _ society. i think there were a lot of compromises in the _ society. i think there were a lot of compromises in the agreement i society. i think there were a lot of. compromises in the agreement and a lot of constructive ambiguity, and i think that we are seeing that reflected 25 years on. because we continue to live, in northern ireland, i very much divided society

with segregated schooling for a lot of people, a lot of people still live in divided communities where there are a majority of people from a catholic background in one area, majority of people from a protestant background in other areas, and that continues to permeate society, really, so there still remains a lot of issues that have to be dealt with in northern ireland society, even indeed a number of miles away from here, in some areas you will continue to see peace walls dividing communities, predominantly catholic and predominantly protestant communities, so there is a lot of stuff that needs to be done, but we also continue to have the issue of paramilitarism in northern ireland. it was only a number of days ago that we saw petrol bombs were thrown at police officers in northern ireland in derry, and as well as that, in the north down area, we saw a loyalist feud among drug gangs

linked to a loyalist paramilitary organisation. so even though we have peace, relative peace, there continues to be issues that need to be dealt with 25 years on. and continues to be issues that need to be dealt with 25 years on.— be dealt with 25 years on. and in terms of those _ be dealt with 25 years on. and in terms of those paramilitaries, i be dealt with 25 years on. and in terms of those paramilitaries, it| terms of those paramilitaries, it was on the front page of the papers when i arrived, what is the background to those young men? melt. background to those young men? well, i think from a — background to those young men? well, i think from a general— background to those young men? -ii i think from a general political perspective, there is no political support for these paramilitary organisations. in terms of the nationalist or republican side, they are referred to as dissident republican paramilitary groups, because they are anti good friday agreement, but of course the majority of people in northern ireland and the majority of nationalists in northern ireland, the vast majority would support the good friday agreement and a devolved settlement that has arisen from that. is settlement that has arisen from that. , ., settlement that has arisen from that. , . ., , . , , that. is there a worry that because there is a power— that. is there a worry that because there is a power vacuum, - that. is there a worry that because there is a power vacuum, it - that. is there a worry that because there is a power vacuum, it could l there is a power vacuum, it could lead to some kind of violence? i think there is a concern that the

longer that we have this political stalemate going on in northern ireland, that there is an opportunity for these sorts of groups to mobilise and these sorts of groups to gain a foothold within communities. but i think, in the main, the majority of parties, the majority of people in northern ireland, and i say the vast majority, continue to support the devolved government or devolved settlement in northern ireland and don't want to see a return to the violent ways of the past, and so therefore i don't think that there would be any significant move towards those sorts of paramilitary groups and it will continue to be an issue that both the police and politics will try and stamp out. the fact we do not have power sharing at stormont, what does it mean for everyday life. {hail mean for everyday life. civil servants — mean for everyday life. civil servants are _ mean for everyday life. civil servants are running - mean for everyday life. civil servants are running the i mean for everyday life. (1 l servants are running the system, we have this limbo system where the uk government has not taken fully

control of how the