Bush praises Taoiseach

US President George Bush commended the leadership of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today as he faced a growing crisis in the Northern Ireland peace process.

At the traditional St Patrick’s Day shamrock ceremony at the White House, Mr Bush steered clear of Sinn Féin and the Belfast murder of Robert McCartney, instead focusing on the strong ties between the US and Ireland.

For the first time in a decade no Northern Ireland political leaders were invited to the annual celebration – a clear signal that patience is running out with the continued paramilitary activity.

Mr Bush said the shamrock he was presented with by Mr Ahern had come to represent the unity that could be achieved when people commit themselves to peace and freedom.

“The Irish have a way of turning adversity into opportunity,” he said.

“We are proud to welcome a friend of peace and a friend of freedom, my good friend Bertie Ahern.”

The President thanked Mr Ahern for his tireless work against terrorism.

“It takes courage to walk the path of peace,” he added. “As you work for peace our government and the American people stand with you.”

Mr Ahern acknowledged that political progress had taken a severe knock and that when the people of Ireland voted in 1998, they voted solely for peace.

“Recent events have damaged confidence but they have also crystallised what must now be done to finalise the process and achieve stable partnership government in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Partnership politics requires all parties to play their part. But if trust and confidence is to be established, tangible evidence of commitment to a democratic peace is essential.”

Mr Ahern said the Irish people had not voted for an armed peace nor a criminal peace but he said the Good Friday Agreement could only be realised when those who aspire to share in government brought definitive closure to all paramilitary activity and criminality.