Tánaiste (Irish Deputy PM) welcomes nomination of new US Ambassador to Ireland

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, has welcomed today’s announcement from the White House of the proposal to assign Mr Kevin F. O’Malley, of Missouri, as the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland. 

The Tánaiste said:

“I am delighted that President Obama has announced his decision to nominate Mr. O’Malley as the next US Ambassador to Ireland. This reflects the commitment which he gave to the Taoiseach at their St Patrick’s Day meeting in Washington D.C. 

“It is important that there be a resident US Ambassador here, to reflect the extraordinary strength and depth of the relationship that exists between our two countries.

“That relationship is evident is so many ways, for example: the US is home to our largest and most powerful diaspora of approximately 36 million; it is our most important source of Foreign Direct Investment and one of our top sources of investment, trade and tourists; and it remains an indispensible partner in the Northern Ireland peace process.   

“The Government looks forward to early approval of Mr. O’Malley’s nomination by the U.S. Senate and to working with the new Ambassador on the further development of all aspects of our bilateral relationship with the United States”.