On 22 June 2016, US Vice President Joe Biden visited President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The meeting was attended by Sabina Higgins, members of President Higgins’ and Vice President Biden’s staff, together with US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley and Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson.
The discussions included Irish, European and current global affairs.
Among the issues that were discussed were the central importance of human rights to the political perspectives of both the President and the Vice President. Specifically, President Higgins commended Vice President Biden’s work on the elimination of all forms of violence against women. The two leaders further discussed the current issues facing the European Union and the current position in relation to the peace process in Northern Ireland. The present position of the discussion and advocacy in relation to the legislative process regarding out of status Irish in the United States was discussed.
