vanguard of this for this, and the vanguard of this is in the alliance party. that party identifies as neither nationalist nor unionist, it has increased, and is now the third biggest party in northern ireland. so many would say thatis northern ireland. so many would say that is a sign of changing attitudes. the whites of the alliance party would argue the the like of the alliance party. they cannotjust depend on unionists and nationalists, there has to be a bigger picture for people who do not follow into those traditional camps. at the moment this has been discussed a lot around this 25th anniversary. if electoral trains continue at is more likely

changeable come. another stormont comes back effort does the dup once publishing then that could be another conversation in the assembly, involving the governments to look at how a future star might collapse can be not prevented a list made a lot more unlikely.— made a lot more unlikely. pleasant biden has arrived, _ made a lot more unlikely. pleasant biden has arrived, gone _ made a lot more unlikely. pleasant biden has arrived, gone in - made a lot more unlikely. pleasant biden has arrived, gone in through | made a lot more unlikely. pleasant. biden has arrived, gone in through a side entrance to the university. how do you assess the atmosphere around this trip. do you assess the atmosphere around this tri -. ., ., this trip. there are two perspectives, - this trip. there are two perspectives, people i this trip. there are two i perspectives, people who this trip. there are two - perspectives, people who are this trip. there are two _ perspectives, people who are very welcoming of the fact a us president is in northern ireland, we have had many— is in northern ireland, we have had many others — is in northern ireland, we have had many others in the past years and decades_ many others in the past years and decades since the peace process. i think_ decades since the peace process. i think that — decades since the peace process. i think that will be welcomed as an

opportunity to expose northern ireland — opportunity to expose northern ireland on the world stage and get more _ ireland on the world stage and get more people to come here and invest and that— more people to come here and invest and that will— more people to come here and invest and that will be the message from the president and those around ten as part _ the president and those around ten as part of— the president and those around ten as part of this trip and speech. there — as part of this trip and speech. there will— as part of this trip and speech. there will be those particularly on the unionist side who will see the trip more — the unionist side who will see the trip more negatively because they will see _ trip more negatively because they will see this administration as having — will see this administration as having been very supportive of the irish government position and eu position— irish government position and eu position and relation to brexit negotiations. we would have seenjoe bidens— negotiations. we would have seenjoe biden's face on posters against the northerh_ biden's face on posters against the northern ireland protocol brokered against _ northern ireland protocol brokered against negotiations so for some people _ against negotiations so for some people they will welcome the visit but particularly for unionists they will not _ but particularly for unionists they will not be fast. and but particularly for unionists they will not be fast.— but particularly for unionists they will not be fast. and there are some who see it as _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a bit _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a bit of _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a bit of a _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a bit of a snob, - will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a bit of a snob, such i who see it as a bit of a snob, such a brief trip. —— a snob. —— a snub.

then i also think it would have been a longer— then i also think it would have been a longer visit had stormont been up and running, more than effort to celebrate — and running, more than effort to celebrate and commemorate the 24th anniversary, had it been the case the parachuting and situations where ”p the parachuting and situations where up and _ the parachuting and situations where up and running. the fact stormont as don want— up and running. the fact stormont as don want there is nothing to celebrate so there is no point in the president going to stormont and meeting _ the president going to stormont and meeting the political parties so it seems _ meeting the political parties so it seems he — meeting the political parties so it seems he will meet them any side room _ seems he will meet them any side room as— seems he will meet them any side room as part of this visit to the university~ _ room as part of this visit to the university. instead the us are trying — university. instead the us are trying to— university. instead the us are trying to pervert the message to once _ trying to pervert the message to once looking at the future whilst recognising the achievements of the

good friday agreement, they want to say peace _ good friday agreement, they want to say peace and stability and northern iretand _ say peace and stability and northern iretand as _ say peace and stability and northern ireland as an opportunity for economic— ireland as an opportunity for economic prosperity and the us government want to be part of that. it is government want to be part of that. it is a _ government want to be part of that. it is a challenge and it is embarrassing for northern ireland that we _ embarrassing for northern ireland that we do not have a power—sharing executive _ that we do not have a power—sharing executive up — that we do not have a power—sharing executive up and running. we that we do not have a power-sharing executive up and running.— executive up and running. we have talked a lot — executive up and running. we have talked a lot about _ executive up and running. we have talked a lot about the _ executive up and running. we have talked a lot about the fact - executive up and running. we have talked a lot about the fact that - executive up and running. we have talked a lot about the fact that is i talked a lot about the fact that is not parachuting at stormont but that is a want to celebrate in terms of 25 years of the av agreement. talking to young people many of them have said they believe the good friday agreement belongs in the past, looking to the future. do you remember the time before the agreement was signed and what life was like. i

agreement was signed and what life was like. ., ., g; ~ agreement was signed and what life was like. ., ., ,': ~ was like. i do, i am 36 so i was about 11 when _ was like. i do, i am 36 so i was about 11 when it _ was like. i do, i am 36 so i was about 11 when it was _ was like. i do, i am 36 so i was about 11 when it was signed - was like. i do, i am 36 so i was about 11 when it was signed so | was like. i do, i am 36 so i was| about 11 when it was signed so i have memory of the troubles and i do member of the checkpoint and being taken out of a shopping centre because there was a bomb skill but we were not heavily affected by the troubles as much as other families. i am unsurprised that young people are looking forward. ijust had a baby and i do not think my son will be asking much about the mechanics, he will ask about his job prospects and want to know about now rather than the past, that is my hope for him. many young people do not have much memory of the troubles and the past and find it easier to distance themselves from that. going forward we need to build the best society for those young people to stay in northern ireland and want you and

raise families. there has been negativity around the agreement but we should not downplay the fact we have had 25 years of a very different experience to what came before and i am very lucky i have grown up and had my life mostly unaffected by violence and northern ireland. ., , unaffected by violence and northern ireland. .,, ., unaffected by violence and northern ireland. ., , ireland. people say that has been eace but ireland. people say that has been peace but it _ ireland. people say that has been peace but it has _ ireland. people say that has been peace but it has been _ ireland. people say that has been peace but it has been imperfect i ireland. people say that has been i peace but it has been imperfect and they mean that politically. what are your thoughts on the legacy of the good friday agreement. in your thoughts on the legacy of the good friday agreement.— your thoughts on the legacy of the good friday agreement. in terms of cominu good friday agreement. in terms of coming things _ good friday agreement. in terms of coming things down _ good friday agreement. in terms of coming things down it _ good friday agreement. in terms of coming things down it has _ good friday agreement. in terms of coming things down it has been - good friday agreement. in terms of coming things down it has been a i coming things down it has been a success, — coming things down it has been a success, in— coming things down it has been a success, in terms of looking at the violence _ success, in terms of looking at the violence even in the early 1990s we have nowhere in the of that, 1 million — have nowhere in the of that, 1 million miles away. we have not had i million miles away. we have not had i remember— million miles away. we have not had i remember an million miles away. we have not had i rememberan 1998 there million miles away. we have not had i remember an 1998 there was a lot of talk— i remember an 1998 there was a lot of talk of— i remember an 1998 there was a lot of talk of the peace dividend that would _ of talk of the peace dividend that would come, northern ireland was going _ would come, northern ireland was going to _ would come, northern ireland was going to be likely to public where

the economy was taking off, the rest of the _ the economy was taking off, the rest of the uk _ the economy was taking off, the rest of the uk was doing well and northern ireland would join that possibility. that has not really happened, we have the disparity between — happened, we have the disparity between northern ireland and the uk and north— between northern ireland and the uk and north and south on the iron ones and north and south on the iron ones and there _ and north and south on the iron ones and there are a lot of communities that are _ and there are a lot of communities that are as— and there are a lot of communities that are as poor as they were in 1998— that are as poor as they were in 1998 and — that are as poor as they were in 1998 and that is the thing we have really— 1998 and that is the thing we have really tackled, something because we have had _ really tackled, something because we have had a _ really tackled, something because we have had a stop start government we have had a stop start government we have not— have had a stop start government we have not had a coherent investment strategy. _ have not had a coherent investment strategy, creation so the types of things. _ strategy, creation so the types of things, economically as the peace we need to— things, economically as the peace we need to move to next and referencing voung _ need to move to next and referencing young people who want to move on. i teach _ young people who want to move on. i teach politics and there are people who genuinely want to move on and -et who genuinely want to move on and get on _ who genuinely want to move on and get on with— who genuinely want to move on and get on with their lives, more worried _ get on with their lives, more worried about having to emigrate for the jobs _ worried about having to emigrate for the jobs than about some of the symbolic— the jobs than about some of the symbolic things that take up

attention so it is very natural and as pointed — attention so it is very natural and as pointed out the growing centre ground _ as pointed out the growing centre ground we — as pointed out the growing centre ground we are seeing, the rise of the alliance party is going to be the alliance party is going to be the real— the alliance party is going to be the real impasse and pressure for change _ the real impasse and pressure for change of— the real impasse and pressure for change of the institutions and we will see _ change of the institutions and we will see a — change of the institutions and we will see a fundamental more long—term renegotiation of the agreement. we long-term renegotiation of the agreement-— long-term renegotiation of the aureement. ~ . ., . agreement. we are watching jane hartley the _ agreement. we are watching jane hartley the us — agreement. we are watching jane hartley the us ambassador - agreement. we are watching jane hartley the us ambassador to - agreement. we are watching jane hartley the us ambassador to the agreement. we are watching jane . hartley the us ambassador to the uk making opening remarks and you saw earlier the vice chancellor of the university, welcoming everyone to this historic day as we countdown to pleasant biden and his address. both reflecting on the good friday agreement to them and that families and how much things have changed. i did want to ask sarah what would

happen about child's education but what the people have spoken to me about the importance of education but can you explain how it works because only about seven or 8% go to enter it in schools. the because only about seven or 896 go to enter it in schools.— enter it in schools. the education s stem is enter it in schools. the education system is highly _ enter it in schools. the education system is highly segregated, - system is highly segregated, predominantly people from a president background would go to a low subtle skills and a catholic maintained sector affiliated to the church. there are also schools like irish medium schools who would encourage or promote the irish language as well as integrated schools in which people from all backgrounds would go but at is a mixed picture because you will have control schools in northern ireland as well well there are people from a mix of bank loans and is well as the increase in immigration into

northern ireland to kill the part of the eu we have seen the domestication of backgrounds so that is the three pronged approach in terms of education but there as more complicated picture. i terms of education but there as more complicated picture.— complicated picture. i spoke to 214-year-olds, _ complicated picture. i spoke to 214-year-olds, one _ complicated picture. i spoke to 214-year-olds, one catholic i complicated picture. i spoke tol 214-year-olds, one catholic and complicated picture. i spoke to - 214-year-olds, one catholic and one 2ia—year—olds, one catholic and one protestant going to an integrated school, they were going to mcdonald's. they said their friendship is still considered reasonably unusual. there are some still quite deep divisions.— still quite deep divisions. people continue even _ still quite deep divisions. people continue even though _ still quite deep divisions. people continue even though we - still quite deep divisions. people continue even though we are - still quite deep divisions. people continue even though we are at. still quite deep divisions. people | continue even though we are at 25 years on from the good friday agreement... i years on from the good friday agreement. . ._ years on from the good friday a: reement. .. . ., ., .,, agreement... i am going to enter opt to no to agreement... i am going to enter opt to go to joe _ agreement... i am going to enter opt to go to joe kennedy. _ agreement... i am going to enter opt to go to joe kennedy. as _ agreement... i am going to enter opt to go to joe kennedy. as you - agreement... i am going to enter opt to go to joe kennedy. as you all - to go to joe kennedy. as you all know 25 years —

to go to joe kennedy. as you all know 25 years ago _ to go to joe kennedy. as you all know 25 years ago the _ to go to joe kennedy. as you all know 25 years ago the people i to go to joe kennedy. as you alli know 25 years ago the people of to go to joe kennedy. as you all - know 25 years ago the people of the united _ know 25 years ago the people of the united states bet on peace, we bet on it because we bet on you. we bet on it because we bet on you. we bet on your— on it because we bet on you. we bet on your dreams and aspirations. your hope _ on your dreams and aspirations. your hope for— on your dreams and aspirations. your hope for your— on your dreams and aspirations. your hope for your kids, the future that you will— hope for your kids, the future that you will write. the city, the community that you will create. weather — community that you will create. weather was paying you saw a chance to heal _ weather was paying you saw a chance to heal. were there were walls and wire vou _ to heal. were there were walls and wire you saw a community. we are there _ wire you saw a community. we are there was— wire you saw a community. we are there was division and scepticism you saw— there was division and scepticism you saw hope. 25 years later look at what _ you saw hope. 25 years later look at what you _ you saw hope. 25 years later look at what you have created. record gdp

growth, _ what you have created. record gdp growth, university classrooms filled to the _ growth, university classrooms filled to the brim, older shipyards turned into incubators for cutting—edge technology. paul doesn't surging amongst — technology. paul doesn't surging amongst ancient walls. the mac tourism — amongst ancient walls. the mac tourism surging. proud of that wager and ready— tourism surging. proud of that wager and ready to double down on a bit that has— and ready to double down on a bit that has produced a peace dividend with hundreds of us companies operating in northern ireland creating _ operating in northern ireland creating tens of thousands ofjobs. the number one foreign investment location _ the number one foreign investment location for — the number one foreign investment location for cybersecurity. some of the biggest companies in the world are here _ the biggest companies in the world are here and entrepreneurs with dreams— are here and entrepreneurs with dreams to — are here and entrepreneurs with dreams to compete following. people ask me _ dreams to compete following. people ask me all— dreams to compete following. people ask me all the time why northern lreland, _ ask me all the time why northern ireland, why invest here, why come,

as it docks— ireland, why invest here, why come, as it docks amity, access, extraordinarily good weather. folks, it is you _ extraordinarily good weather. folks, it is you an— extraordinarily good weather. folks, it is you. an american ceo told me when _ it is you. an american ceo told me when he _ it is you. an american ceo told me when he first— it is you. an american ceo told me when he first visited belfast to expand — when he first visited belfast to expand his business, has flight landed — expand his business, has flight landed fine, his bags dead not so he went to _ landed fine, his bags dead not so he went to a _ landed fine, his bags dead not so he went to a store to get a new suit for 7:30am — went to a store to get a new suit for 7:30am meeting, went to a store to get a new suit for7:30am meeting, got a went to a store to get a new suit for 7:30am meeting, got a jacket but the plans— for 7:30am meeting, got a jacket but the plans did not fit. the store owner— the plans did not fit. the store owner took the pants and drove an other— owner took the pants and drove an other to _ owner took the pants and drove an other to his— owner took the pants and drove an other to his mother's home that he altered _ other to his mother's home that he altered them and drove early next morning _ altered them and drove early next morning back, had to deliver them to the ceo _ morning back, had to deliver them to the ceo by— morning back, had to deliver them to the ceo by 7am in the hotel lobby. that gentleman said i don't care

what _ that gentleman said i don't care what you — that gentleman said i don't care what you will say it does not matter. _ what you will say it does not matter, that guy sold me a north island _ matter, that guy sold me a north island better than any government official— island better than any government official ever could. he established a huge _ official ever could. he established a huge pleasant here and as far as i know— a huge pleasant here and as far as i know still— a huge pleasant here and as far as i know still we as those pants. we believe _ know still we as those pants. we believe in — know still we as those pants. we believe in northern ireland, we believe — believe in northern ireland, we believe in — believe in northern ireland, we believe in you. we believe in your future, _ believe in you. we believe in your future, we — believe in you. we believe in your future, we believe in these amazing kids~ _ future, we believe in these amazing kids a_ future, we believe in these amazing kids a few— future, we believe in these amazing kids. a few weeks ago a harvard student— kids. a few weeks ago a harvard student from belfast called himself a piece _ student from belfast called himself a piece baby raised on and the trouble — a piece baby raised on and the trouble is _ a piece baby raised on and the trouble is a fading memory for i am proud _ trouble is a fading memory for i am proud of— trouble is a fading memory for i am proud of the — trouble is a fading memory for i am proud of the commitment to those peace _ proud of the commitment to those peace babies. expanding the opportunity and i am humbled by the chance _ opportunity and i am humbled by the chance to _ opportunity and i am humbled by the chance to be a part of shaping that

commitment. thank you for your untenable — commitment. thank you for your untenable contributions, for your vision _ untenable contributions, for your vision and — untenable contributions, for your vision and determination and more than anything i look for god to drawing — than anything i look for god to drawing on your energy and ideas to ensure _ drawing on your energy and ideas to ensure we _ drawing on your energy and ideas to ensure we bring possibility to every corner— ensure we bring possibility to every corner of— ensure we bring possibility to every corner of northern ireland. it is a future _ corner of northern ireland. it is a future to— corner of northern ireland. it is a future to be — corner of northern ireland. it is a future to be proud of and worth betting — future to be proud of and worth betting on. thank you. applause joe kennedy the special envoy to northern ireland with a speech that was punctuated with hope and energy and humour. ajoke about

was punctuated with hope and energy and humour. a joke about the weather although it has been lovely this morning. he said to the crowd this is a future you will write and he was a very proud to be part of it. some breaking news we are getting from our article editor, that party leaders and northern ireland have now held a very brief conversation with president biden, talks took place on a side room at ulster university and we are hearing he did meet with netiquette leaders ahead of his speech. the ulster unionist leader said they

we are looking at pictures of that meeting, the bilatte, it is being called, earlier today at the hotel. i think it was really interesting thatjoe biden says i am here to listen. that is interesting, because the dup says that they are the politicians that are going back to stormont at the moment, they have accused us politicians, and by biden

in particular of not being here to listen. but the fact that he is here, saying i'm here to listen and not push things forward, is important. but it is only a short visit in northern ireland, but still be a time in the future for him to come back and sit around the table with politicians. 50 come back and sit around the table with politicians.— come back and sit around the table with politicians. so we are watching and waitin: with politicians. so we are watching and waiting to _ with politicians. so we are watching and waiting to see _ with politicians. so we are watching and waiting to see when _ with politicians. so we are watching and waiting to see when president. and waiting to see when president biden does emerge onto the stage, in front of the students and is carefully selected guests. we have just been hearing from joe kennedy there. i don't know if you could hearjoe kennedy there, it was a humorous address, one full of hope and optimism, i suppose you would expect that. i think there will be people hoping there will be some investment opportunities off the back of this visit, investment in northern ireland but we need to realise there

has been investment for a long time and not a lot of people have seen this peace dividend. i have to disagree with joe this peace dividend. i have to disagree withjoe kennedy, it is being delivered and for many people when the here economic to opportunities coming what they want to hear they are sustainable. that the us is bringing jobs, well—paid and secure to northern ireland, not the jobs that stay here for a year or two or disappear. i hope that is the message the ticking today. the seech the message the ticking today. the speech from joe kennedy was full of hope and optimism, if you were to ask people what their feelings aren't for the future, what with the majority say. aren't for the future, what with the majority say-— aren't for the future, what with the majority say. there would be apathy which tends — majority say. there would be apathy which tends to _ majority say. there would be apathy

which tends to rise _ majority say. there would be apathy which tends to rise when _ majority say. there would be apathy which tends to rise when stormont i majority say. there would be apathy| which tends to rise when stormont is down _ which tends to rise when stormont is down you _ which tends to rise when stormont is down. you will reference in frustration that emilys are still getting — frustration that emilys are still getting paid and this is in the context— getting paid and this is in the context of the fact the health service — context of the fact the health service is _ context of the fact the health service is the boss performing in the uk, — service is the boss performing in the uk, the education system is under— the uk, the education system is under pressure. people are feeling incredibly— under pressure. people are feeling incredibly frustrated particularly incredibly frustrated particularly in the _ incredibly frustrated particularly in the cost of living crisis so that is a sense — in the cost of living crisis so that is a sense of— in the cost of living crisis so that is a sense of pessimism but people in northern— is a sense of pessimism but people in northern ireland are made of tough _ in northern ireland are made of tough stuff, we will complain about everything but always seem to find a way might— everything but always seem to find a way might get that in the end. that will be _ way might get that in the end. that will be the — way might get that in the end. that will be the punt must be put more klingon— will be the punt must be put more klingon for, we may take the scenic route _ klingon for, we may take the scenic route to _ klingon for, we may take the scenic route to get — klingon for, we may take the scenic route to get to the late destination but we _ route to get to the late destination but we get that in the end. john kennedy— but we get that in the end. john kennedy as correct about making a bet on _ kennedy as correct about making a bet on the — kennedy as correct about making a bet on the people here who always -et bet on the people here who always get to _ bet on the people here who always get to the — bet on the people here who always get to the late oak even if it takes political— get to the late oak even if it takes political leaders a bit longer than

you would like. we political leaders a bit longer than you would like.— you would like. we have lots of activity at _ you would like. we have lots of activity at ulster _ you would like. we have lots of activity at ulster university - you would like. we have lots of activity at ulster university and j activity at ulster university and members of the bbc family with us. because mason has just popped in. can i ask you about the meeting between rishi sunak and joe biden, any details. late between rishi sunak and joe biden, an details. ~ . ., any details. we are writing from the readout because _ any details. we are writing from the readout because what _ any details. we are writing from the readout because what happens - any details. we are writing from the readout because what happens as i any details. we are writing from the i readout because what happens as both teams put out their own version of events. downing street are writing there's at the moment, what is intriguing as reading between the lines of the diplomatic verbiage from these to try to work out if thatis from these to try to work out if that is any point of flexion or disagreement or differences of

emphasis more likely rather than anything spiky. we should be hearing from rishi sunak soon, appealing on camera roundabout now by up to the speech and then it will be a case of hearing what the president has to say and the reaction. it hearing what the president has to say and the reaction.— say and the reaction. it was all smiles this _ say and the reaction. it was all smiles this monochrome - say and the reaction. it was all smiles this monochrome as i say and the reaction. it was all| smiles this monochrome as the knowledge and ship better than it was question mark. yes. knowledge and ship better than it was question mark.— knowledge and ship better than it was question mark. yes, when boris johnson was question mark. yes, when boris johnson was — was question mark. yes, when boris johnson was prime _ was question mark. yes, when boris johnson was prime minister - was question mark. yes, when boris johnson was prime minister that - was question mark. yes, when borisj johnson was prime minister that was not particularly warm as far as the white house is ordaining street. either member travelling with liz truss and the autumn to new york and whilst she was the white house was pretty disparaging about the

economic strategy in the uk. i think since rishi sunak has been prime minister the relationship has one dub. late minister the relationship has one dub. ~ . , ., ., ., dub. we have “ust had one that the should like dub. we have just had one that the should like saying _ dub. we have just had one that the should like saying he _ dub. we have just had one that the should like saying he and _ dub. we have just had one that the should like saying he and joe - dub. we have just had one that the should like saying he and joe biden spoke about the economics of this would... if he is. here he is. good afternoon. — would... if he is. here he is. good afternoon, what _ would... if he is. here he is. good afternoon, what a _ would... if he is. here he is. good afternoon, what a great _ would... if he is. here he is. good afternoon, what a great honour. would... if he is. here he is. good afternoon, what a great honour to be here _ afternoon, what a great honour to be here i_ afternoon, what a great honour to be here ijust _ afternoon, what a great honour to be here. ijust told gabriel when she is the _ here. ijust told gabriel when she is the leading public figure and i show— is the leading public figure and i show up — is the leading public figure and i show upjust rememberjoe biden. chancellor, — show upjust rememberjoe biden. chancellor, vice chancellor, thank you for— chancellor, vice chancellor, thank you for hosting us in this beautiful campus _ you for hosting us in this beautiful campus i— you for hosting us in this beautiful campus. i can hear the 1991 and you

could _ campus. i can hear the 1991 and you could not— campus. i can hear the 1991 and you could not have a glass building like this in— could not have a glass building like this in this — could not have a glass building like this in this neighbourhood. i don't think— this in this neighbourhood. i don't think it _ this in this neighbourhood. i don't think it will — this in this neighbourhood. i don't think it will have stood up variable but things— think it will have stood up variable but things are changing, lord mia and secretary of state thank you for the welcome and leaders of the political— the welcome and leaders of the political parties, i was honoured to welcome _ political parties, i was honoured to welcome you to the white house a few weeks _ welcome you to the white house a few weeks ago _ welcome you to the white house a few weeks ago and it is wonderful to see you again _ weeks ago and it is wonderful to see you again today. and ambassador harley. _ you again today. and ambassador harley, thank you for outstanding work _ harley, thank you for outstanding work within our mission to the uk, ambassador— work within our mission to the uk, ambassador harley is an old friend and the _ ambassador harley is an old friend and the former ambassador from great britain _ and the former ambassador from great britain to— and the former ambassador from great britain to the us, the home embassy is along _ britain to the us, the home embassy is along the _ britain to the us, the home embassy is along the fence line of the vice president's residents and we became

friends _ president's residents and we became friends with the ambassador and his last trip— friends with the ambassador and his last trip home 40 came back to washington to serve out the final few months of his term he told me he would _ few months of his term he told me he would bring _ few months of his term he told me he would bring something back for me. i did not— would bring something back for me. i did not know what he had in mind but when _ did not know what he had in mind but when he _ did not know what he had in mind but when he came back we spent some time together— when he came back we spent some time together and _ when he came back we spent some time together and he brought back a book with a _ together and he brought back a book with a photograph on the front that had been _ with a photograph on the front that had been reprinted of a somewhat stout _ had been reprinted of a somewhat stout british captain in his guarters _ stout british captain in his quarters with a big bulldog next to him and _ quarters with a big bulldog next to him and his name was captain george biden— him and his name was captain george biden because he used to kid me saying _ biden because he used to kid me saying biden is english. he told me he meant _

saying biden is english. he told me he meant back and had the lord admiral— he meant back and had the lord admiral to — he meant back and had the lord admiral to check on my great great 1840 ancestor had written the rules of— great 1840 ancestor had written the rules of mutiny for the british navy — rules of mutiny for the british navy at— rules of mutiny for the british navy. at least that part as consistent. he used to kid me, when italk— consistent. he used to kid me, when l talk about— consistent. he used to kid me, when i talk about the idea she said you are english and then i found out that my— are english and then i found out that my middle name i thought was french, _ that my middle name i thought was french, who cannot integrate britain in the _ french, who cannot integrate britain in the 1700s do not know what is going _ in the 1700s do not know what is going on— in the 1700s do not know what is going on for some it is confusing.

counsel— going on for some it is confusing. counsel and — going on for some it is confusing. counsel and special envoyjoe counsel and special envoy joe kennedy, thank counsel and special envoyjoe kennedy, thank you for your efforts to strengthen ties. it is good to see belfast a city alive with commerce, the dividends of peace and all around _ commerce, the dividends of peace and all around us _ commerce, the dividends of peace and all around us and this campus is situated — all around us and this campus is situated at— all around us and this campus is situated at an intersection with conflict — situated at an intersection with conflict and bloodshed held a terrible — conflict and bloodshed held a terrible sway. the idea to have a glass _ terrible sway. the idea to have a glass building in 1981 was highly unlikely. flood barbed wire sliced up unlikely. flood barbed wire sliced up the _ unlikely. flood barbed wire sliced up the city — unlikely. flood barbed wire sliced up the city today be feigned a cathedral of learning both of glass to it light— cathedral of learning both of glass to it light in and out. it has an impact— to it light in and out. it has an impact for— to it light in and out. it has an impact for someone who has come back to see _ impact for someone who has come back to see it. _ impact for someone who has come back to see it. it _ impact for someone who has come back to see it. it is— impact for someone who has come back to see it, it is testament to the power— to see it, it is testament to the power of— to see it, it is testament to the power of peace. 25 years ago the one fast belfast _ power of peace. 25 years ago the one fast belfast good friday agreement was signed and it was not easy. i was signed and it was not easy. i

was a _ was signed and it was not easy. i was a senator at the time and they what _ was a senator at the time and they what closely with george mitchell and there are no guarantees that the deal on _ and there are no guarantees that the deal on paper would hold. no guarantees that would deliver the progress — guarantees that would deliver the progress we celebrate. it took a lon- progress we celebrate. it took a long and — progress we celebrate. it took a long and hard years of work to get to this _ long and hard years of work to get to this place. it took people willing — to this place. it took people willing to come together in good faith and — willing to come together in good faith and risk the future. leaders like david — faith and risk the future. leaders like david evan and millie robinson were all— like david evan and millie robinson were all people i got to meet back then and _ were all people i got to meet back then and it — were all people i got to meet back then and it took people across northern— then and it took people across northern ireland who made a choice to work— northern ireland who made a choice to work for— northern ireland who made a choice to work for a bright option future. at the _ to work for a bright option future. at the time — to work for a bright option future. at the time it seemed so distant,

first at— at the time it seemed so distant, first at the — at the time it seemed so distant, 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