Deirdre Heenan, an academic and commentator on Northern Irish politics, recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding President Joe Biden’s comment regarding the Northern Ireland protocol. Despite criticism from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and other Unionists, Heenan argues that their reaction would have been the same no matter what Biden said. In this article, we dive deeper into Heenan’s analysis and explore the complexities of Northern Irish politics.
Last week, the United States President Joe Biden visited Ireland in a trip that saw two very different receptions. While the visit to the Republic of Ireland was a success with the president welcomed by the people and the government, his visit to Northern Ireland was shrouded in controversy. The media coverage of the US president’s visit to the North was hostile and born of the same blind intransigence and British impotence that has created the Stormont stalemate.
Many in the media questioned the purpose of the visit given its brevity and the fact that President Biden declined an invitation from the Stormont speaker. Some even went as far as to call it a “snub.” However, the decision not to accept the invitation was informed by logistics and optics rather than a deliberate gesture of disrespect. It was simply impossible to accommodate the request on the president’s schedule without causing major disruptions.
Despite this, the visit to Northern Ireland was still significant. The president was able to meet with leaders from both sides of the political divide and discuss the ongoing political impasse. He also announced the appointment of a special envoy to Northern Ireland, a move that was welcomed by both communities.
But the media coverage of the visit was not focused on the positive aspects. Instead, it was characterized by negativity and criticism. This is not surprising given the context in which the visit took place. Northern Ireland has been without a government for over two years, with talks between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein deadlocked over issues such as the Irish language and same-sex marriage.
The failure to form a government has led to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among the people of Northern Ireland, who feel abandoned by both the British government and their own elected representatives. The situation has also been exacerbated by the uncertainty created by Brexit and the potential for a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
In this context, the media’s focus on the perceived shortcomings of the US president’s visit is understandable. It reflects the widespread sense of frustration and helplessness that exists in Northern Ireland today. However, this sense of frustration should not be directed solely at the president. Rather, it should be directed at the political leaders who have failed to form a government and address the issues that are preventing progress.
The appointment of a special envoy by President Biden is a positive step, but it is not a solution in itself. The real work of ending the political stalemate in Northern Ireland must be done by political leaders on the ground. They must find a way to overcome their differences and work together to build a better future for all the people of Northern Ireland.
In conclusion, the negative media coverage of President Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland reflects the frustration and helplessness that exists in the region today. However, this frustration should not be directed solely at the president, but at the political leaders who have failed to form a government and address the issues preventing progress. The appointment of a special envoy is a positive step, but it is not a solution in itself. The real work of building a better future for Northern Ireland must be done by political leaders on the ground.
