Hillary Clinton makes Ireland a priority

Talks about need to address undocumented Irish issue

The good news during her visit was that the INLA, a splinter IRA group, announced it is handing over its arms to the decommissioning body in favor of pursuing a peaceful path. The timing was no coincidence, it seems.

Clinton also told a British news conference that she was absolutely certain that there was no support for such organizations in the U.S., a welcome statement, as the British press would like nothing better than to demonize Irish Americans one more time.

One of the most encouraging aspects of Clinton’s visit was the quick start by her economic envoy to the North, Declan Kelly, who has already created several key support groups involving major Irish American business figures who are tasked with job creation.

There is no more critical task than trying to underpin the fragile process with the kind of economic investment that can make a profound difference in ordinary lives in Northern Ireland.

The future of the North, so gloomy prior to the Clinton visit, is suddenly far brighter after her intervention and the work of the two governments. Hopefully there will be more days like these, as Van Morrison once remarked.

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Nster.com