Summary
US President Joe Biden has been welcomed to the Republic of Ireland for a three-day visit, during which time he's expected to address parliament and explore his ancestral ties
He's been given a tour of Carlingford Castle with Irish Tánaiste (Deputy PM) Micheál Martin
Speaking in Belfast earlier, Biden hailed the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and said he hoped Northern Ireland parties would return to power-sharing soon
Addressing an audience at Ulster University, he said protecting peace in Northern Ireland is an issue "that brings America together"
He also held brief talks with UK PM Rishi Sunak, and with the leaders of Northern Ireland's five main parties
Northern Ireland has not had a functioning devolved government since the Democratic Unionist Party walked out over post-Brexit arrangements
Live Reporting
James FitzGerald, Andrew Humphrey and Chris Andrews in Belfast
'I love his country as much as he loves ours': Belfast welcomes Bidenpublished at 09:47 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
09:47 BST 12 April 2023
Matt Fox
BBC News NI
A small crowdis growing around the police cordons at Belfast city centre with one or twoAmerican flags starting to appear.
A mixture of press and locals are joined by a handful of bemusedtourists questioning today’s high-security operation.
Adam and Josh Harrison fromDerbyshire, England, are in the city to visit the famous Titanic Museum.
Timing it with a presidential visit was a happy coincidence but they’re determined to “make the most of it".
Front andcentre is Ann-Marie O’Hare from Belfast, a self-confessed "Americanophile".
She was up at the crack of dawn, armed with the Stars and Stripes.
She’s hoping Biden might step out and say hello but would beequally as delighted with a wave.
As a child of The Troubles, she says she is very appreciative of the presidentcoming to visit Northern Ireland during the Good Friday Agreement’sanniversary.
“It sends a strong message that we want peace and peace will remain.
“I love his country as much as he loves ours”
Speaking to young people the right choice, students saypublished at 09:22 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
09:22 BST 12 April 2023
Ahead of Joe Biden's address at Ulster University in Belfast this afternoon, students have been sharing their excitement about his arrival on campus.
Karl Duncan says he hopes the visit proves to be "more than symbolic", at a time when Northern Ireland's devolved parliament is not functioning as intended and "it does feel at times like everything is a bit hopeless".
The 22-year-old, who is chairman of the nationalist SDLP's youth wing, tells BBC Radio Ulster that the visit to a university campus - to speak to young people who are the future of Northern Ireland and its economy - is the right choice.
Lily Busby describes the visit as a historic and significant occasion, adding that she hopes Biden can encourage a return to government in NI's devolved parliament.
Quote Message
If I could speak to him, I'd ask for him to put out a call far action to our politicians today to get Stormont up and running."
Biden to meet NI's young entrepreneurspublished at 09:02 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
09:02 BST 12 April 2023
There'll be a big focus today on Northern Ireland's younger generation - people who grew up in the post-Good Friday Agreement era.
Young entrepreneurs Jordan Graham and Aimee Clint will be meeting President Biden later.
"Things are changing in Northern Ireland," Aimee tells BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning programme.
"It's been a whirlwind week finding out little bits of information but it's a huge honour that there will be a focus on young people. We often think about the dark days but now it's time to look to the future," says Aimee, who started a social enterprise while at Young Enterprise Northern Ireland.
See AlsoHarry Potter and Downton Abbey star Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89BBC Radio Ulster - Schedules, 30 September - 6 October 2024Schedule - BBC Programme IndexSchedule - BBC Programme IndexJordan, who started a marketing company, says the visit is a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland's economy.
"Today is about the optics. It's an opportunity for us all to make a choice to bring the best of Northern Ireland forward - 25 years ago people made a difficult choice and we still have a choice today whether we are going to present Northern Ireland as the economic opportunity that it is.
"All around the world this is being reported on and it would be really nice if it was positive reporting," he adds.
Will the sun come out for the president?published at 08:47 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
08:47 BST 12 April 2023
Barra Best
BBC News NIImage source, Getty ImagesIt’ll be a fairly dry start this morningas President Biden wakes up in Belfast, but, sadly it won’t stay that way.
There are strong winds and rain forecast to move in through latemorning and last throughout the day.
Although the strongest gusts up to 60mph (100km/h) areexpected towards the north coast of Northern Ireland, it’ll still be very windy elsewhere withspeeds up to 50mph (80km/h).
As Biden travels south the rain will become patchier, but there'll be no letup in the wind.
Warnings have been issued in parts of the Republic of Ireland until 20:00 tonight.
Things are looking up tomorrow with a calmer,brighter day with just the odd shower.
Brief trip not a snub, says Northern Ireland secretarypublished at 08:34 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
08:34 BST 12 April 2023
Image source, ReutersThe majority of Joe Biden’s visit to the island of Ireland will see him in the Republic, resulting in a mixed reaction from some in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he did not believe the US president's brief stay in the country was a snub.
He said people should "make the most" of the visit and ensure it was a "positive event". But Ulster Unionist assembly member Mike Nesbitt said it was disappointing that Biden would not be visiting Stormont.
"One consequence of not having Stormont up and running is that the president of the US is not prepared to visit [the Assembly]," he said.
Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill said she was looking forward to welcoming President Biden to Belfast, adding that the US was a "strong partner for peace, stability and economic progress".
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MP Claire Hanna said she the brevity of Biden's the trip was understandable given the political situation at Stormont.
Road closures disrupting morning commute in Belfastpublished at 08:18 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
08:18 BST 12 April 2023
A number of streets in Belfast have been closed since yesterday to facilitate the presidential visit.
This is the scene on Bedford Street, just outside the BBC offices, near where the president is staying.
Roads along his route to Ulster University have also been closed, causing problems for morning commuters.
The police have asked for those coming to see the motorcade or heading to the president's sole event at the university to park well away and walk.
'Smiling Joe': Biden's historic visit dominates NI front pagespublished at 08:02 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
08:02 BST 12 April 2023
Amy Stewart
BBC News NIThe arrival of the US president unsurprisingly dominates newspaper headlines in Northern Ireland today.
"Smiling Joe arrives with with pledge of cash boost," headlines the Belfast Telegraph, accompanied by a close up of President Biden getting off the plane.
The paper says the promise of a "significant cash boost" will be used to try to pressurise the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) back to power sharing at Stormont.
Image source, Belfast TelegraphThe front page of The Irish News , externalfocusses on the huge security operation happening in Belfast right now.
The paper reports that the city centre was on lockdown around the hotel President Biden is staying in.
In the News Letter, external hones in on the president's pledge to "keep the peace".
The paper quotes the words of Democratic Congressman Richard Neal that the president will aim to "nudge" the DUP back towards reviving the power-sharing executive at Stormont.
However it also comes with a word of warning from DUP assembly member Gordon Lyons that the US president must "respect the views of those who live in Northern Ireland".
Will Biden try to nudge the DUP back to power-sharing?published at 07:43 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
07:43 BST 12 April 2023
Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editorImage source, EPAIt was to be the moment of triumph with President Bidenjetting in to celebrate the return of power-sharing at Stormont.
A moment to remember an old agreement 25 years on and look forward to a new one.
Provisions were even in place for a specialpresidential address to returning assembly members at Stormont.
The Windsor Framework agreed between London and Brussels to revise the Northern Ireland Protocol was considered the game changer.
But the Democratic Unionist Party clearly didn't get the White House memo. The party's Stormont boycott remains intact and plans were left in tatters.
President Biden will meet the party leaders for a brief chat ahead of his speech at UlsterUniversity and much of the focus will be on his discussions withDUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
Will he apply some presidential pressure?
In truth the DUP is beyond the reach of Joe Biden as theparty has already slipped into election mode.
No Stormont visit during Biden trippublished at 07:30 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
07:30 BST 12 April 2023
See AlsoSchedule - BBC Programme IndexImage source, Getty ImagesUS President Joe Biden won’t be visiting the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont during his trip.
The assembly was established as a result of the Good Friday Agreement - which Biden is visiting to celebrate - but it’s currently not functioning.
This is because the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is boycotting power-sharing – a rule that Northern Ireland’s two biggest parties work together in government.
They say post-Brexit trade rules mean Northern Ireland is treated differently than the rest of the UK, which as unionists they’re not prepared to tolerate.
The DUP have also blocked the election of a Speaker a number of times, leaving Stormont in political paralysis, as business cannot be carried out without a Speaker.
Tight guest list for Biden's university speech in Belfastpublished at 07:16 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
07:16 BST 12 April 2023
Image source, PA MediaAfter President Biden's political meetings this morning, he will give a speech at Ulster University at its newly opened campus in the heart of Belfast.
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice Chancellor at Ulster University, says the guest list for the speech has been tightly controlled by the White House and State Department.
There will be a selection of students, young people, businesses, entrepreneurs and some politicians in attendance, he tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Biden will also have the opportunity to meet students "so it'll be wonderful if he could - he'd meet some great ones", Bartholomew says.
While he's not privy to the president's speech, he says there's an interest in the appointment of the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy, who's accompanied Biden on his trip, and says he wouldn't be surprised if there are conversations about US investment in Northern Ireland.
Biden in Belfast before travelling to Republicpublished at 06:58 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
06:58 BST 12 April 2023
Image source, ReutersIt's US President Joe Biden's second day of his historic visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic. Here's what's on the agenda:
Biden will carry out the main event of his visit to Northern Ireland today - a speech at the new Ulster University campus in Belfast.
In that speech he is expected to emphasise the willingness of the US to help to preserve what he sees as the peace and prosperity gained since the Good Friday Agreement.
The president is also expected to talk about how the US administration can support Northern Ireland's economy.
Biden is also set to meet the leaders of Stormont's five main political parties at some point during his brief time in the city.
Biden will then be travelling to the Republic, where he'll spend the remainder of his trip. He'll meet Irish President Michael D Higgins, and visit County Mayo and County Louth, where he has ancestral ties.
WATCH: Biden's arrival in Northern Irelandpublished at 06:37 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
06:37 BST 12 April 2023
US President Joe Biden arrived in Northern Ireland at about 21:30 BST (20:30 GMT) on Tuesday night.
He was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he stepped off of Air Force One in Belfast.
His motorcade was seen crossing Belfast and arriving at the hotel where he's staying. Biden was greeted by crowds lining the final stretch of the route.
Why is Biden visiting - and what is the Good Friday Agreement?published at 06:17 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
06:17 BST 12 April 2023
Image source, ReutersJoe Biden’s visit centres on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement.
His trip marks "the tremendous progress” made to end the conflict in Northern Ireland since the deal was signed on 10 April 1998, the White House says.
It is also an opportunity to “underscore the readiness of the US to support Northern Ireland's vast economic potential”.
The Good Friday Agreement ended 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, which cost the lives of more than 3,500 people.
Since it was signed, the peace deal has touched on every aspect of life in Northern Ireland - from the political institutions, such as the power-sharing government, to Brexit and how it operates in this part of the UK.
Biden’s visit part of £7m security operation in NIpublished at 06:01 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
06:01 BST 12 April 2023
A major operation to police the events around the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) is under way this week, which is to cost an estimated £7m.
It comes as police warned of the potential of public disorder linked to dissident republicans over the Easter period.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd said that the week’s events are the biggest policing operation the organisation has undertaken in nearly 10 years. However, he said the aim was to keep disruption to a minimum.
Image source, PA MediaPSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said that about 300 officers from across the UK would be in Northern Ireland over a two-week period to provide specialist support with the policing operation.
This includes specialist motorcycle escort officers, firearms specialists and search specialists. MI5 recently raised Northern Ireland's terrorism threat level to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
Moment Biden greeted by Sunak after landing in Belfastpublished at 05:40 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
05:40 BST 12 April 2023
The US president was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he stepped off of Air Force One in Belfast on Tuesday night.
His visit is to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - a peace deal which helped end 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland.
'Visit to Northern Ireland notable for its brevity'published at 05:33 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
05:33 BST 12 April 2023
Chris Mason
Political editor, reporting from BelfastPresident Biden arrived here last night with rather less need for his trademark sunglasses and rather more for a brolly.
This is a visit - to Northern Ireland at least - most notable for its brevity; he’ll head for the Republic this afternoon and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will return to London.
But it is nonetheless a moment - America long proud of its role in contributing to the Good Friday Agreement’s delivery, its leader now here to mark its quarter century.
Biden will meet Sunak this morning – having welcomed the PM's new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland agreed with the European Union. But the Windsor Framework, as it’s known, hasn’t delivered, yet at least, the most cherished prize – the restoration of devolved government to Stormont.
So there’ll be no presidential or prime ministerial smiles against that backdrop. Instead there'll be a speech from Biden at Ulster University before his much talked about Irish heritage lures him south - a mix of family history and made-for-television imagery the year before a presidential election.
Welcome back to our live coverage of Biden’s visitpublished at 05:23 British Summer Time 12 April 2023
05:23 BST 12 April 2023
Marita Moloney
Live reporterGood morning and welcome as we bring you live updates from US President Joe Biden’s official visit to the island of Ireland.
Biden is in Northern Ireland this morning, where he arrived on Air Force One last night.
He’ll carry out one engagement there today - the opening of the new Belfast campus at Ulster University.
From Northern Ireland, Biden will cross the border to the Republic of Ireland, where he’ll address a joint sitting of the parliament and travel to counties Mayo and Louth before departing on Friday.
Our correspondents on the ground will be covering his visit, with Sarah Smith and Lucy Hockings, among others, in Belfast. Stay with us.
We're now pausing our coveragepublished at 22:49 British Summer Time 11 April 2023
22:49 BST 11 April 2023
Andrew Humphrey
Live reporterThank you very much for joining us this evening, we're bringing our live coverage to a close for the night. We'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning to bring you the latest lines, but first, let's first take a look at the key headlines:
- US President Joe Biden has arrived in Northern Ireland in what marks the beginning of his four-day trip, beginning in the UK before heading to the Republic of Ireland tomorrow
- He was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he stepped off of Airforce One in Belfast
- The mood in Belfast has been one of excitement and great expectation, as locals gathered to catch a glimpse of the US president's arrival in the city centre
- We'll be bringing you the latest lines from his engagements tomorrow as the president gives a speech at Ulster University
- The White House has said there will be no formal group meeting between Biden and Belfast's five main political parties, as his visit is overshadowed by the fact Northern Ireland's power-sharing government is not functioning
- Biden's visit is to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - a peace deal which helped end 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland
Today's page was edited by Andrew Humphrey, James FitzGerald, Marianna Brady and Chris Andrews, with writers were Jennifer McKiernan, Marianna Brady, Thomas Mackintosh, Malu Cursino, Jessica Lawrence, Jake Liggett and Conor Neeson.
If you'd like some expert analysis about the trip, you can read more from our political editor Chris Mason here.
In pictures: Biden begins his four-day visit to UK and Irelandpublished at 22:40 British Summer Time 11 April 2023
22:40 BST 11 April 2023
It was a brief appearance as US President Joe Biden touched down on UK soil and began his visit in Northern Ireland.
He has a busy day ahead of him in Belfast tomorrow, before heading to Dublin, Ireland, later on.
Image source, ReutersImage source, ReutersImage source, ReutersImage source, ReutersImage source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockA rest before a busy schedulepublished at 22:29 British Summer Time 11 April 2023
22:29 BST 11 April 2023
President Biden's motorcade has arrived at the Grand Central Hotel in central Belfast for the night.
Crowds lined the final stretch of the route, with the president's car taken down a side street before he entered the hotel.
