I'm home mom...

US President uses Cupla Focal in Oireachtas addressPro | Joe calls on Ireland and the US to rise up together 

- LOUISE BURNE 

“TA me sa bhaile – I am home.” These were the words US President Joe Biden spoke to the Dail chamber as he delivered a historic address yesterday. 

Mr Biden became just the fourth US President to address a joint sitting of the House of the Oireachtas as he delivered a special 31-minute speech in which he spoke about Ireland’s and America’s “partnership for the ages”.

He also took the opportunity to correct his All Blacks gaffe on Wednesday evening in Dundalk, when he referred to the New Zealand rugby team as the “Black and Tans”.

Following a morning in Aras an Uachtarain and Farmleigh Castle, Mr Biden entered the Dail Chamber shortly before 6pm.

He was greeted to rapturous applause from TDs and Senators, who gave him a lengthy standing ovation.

President Biden was introduced by Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail, before starting his own speech.

Opening his hands to heaven, he said: “Well, mom. You said it would happen. As the proud son of Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, you knew it was coming.

“Speaker, chair, Taoiseach, all , deputy prime minister, TDs, senators, people of Ireland, it’s so good to be back in Ireland.