Biden says he's never met an Irishman in America who hasn't hoped to see Ireland one day.

He says the journeys of "our ancestors expanded our horizons", and became the backbone of America's progress of a nation.

Biden says the journey of his family and others who left Ireland is "emblematic" of many Irish and American families.

"These stories are the very heart of what binds Ireland America together. They speak to a history defined by our dreams," he says. "They speak to a future poised for unlimited shared possibilities."

The US president goes on to reflect on the "enduring strength of the connections between Ireland and the United States."

He adds: "A partnership for the ages begins in our shared history, dating back to the very founding of the United States."

President Biden references a 2016 Irish rugby victory over New Zealand's All Blacks - a subject which caused a gaffe on his part last night - and his distant cousin Rob Kearney, who was involved in the win.

He is greeted with laughter and applause. Biden then recalls his previous trip to Ireland in 2016 when he was vice-president.

Biden reminisces about his Irish heritage and touches on his ancestor's emigration to the United States.

US President Joe Biden is addressing the House now - two hours behind time.

He starts off by saying "well, mom, you said it would happen".

Biden mentions his son Hunter and sister Valerie.

He says it's "so good to be back in Ireland", adding "I'm at home" in Irish.

As Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the speaker, continues to deliver his opening remarks, here's a quick look at Biden being welcomed to the Irish parliament.

Ceann Comhairle (House Speaker) Seán Ó Fearghaíl is speaking ahead of US President Biden's speech to Ireland's parliament.

He welcomes Biden to Leinster House - the home of Ireland's parliament.

"It is a very proud and historic day for us all," Ó Fearghaíl says. And he says it is an honour to have Biden address the joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Biden is the fourth US president to address parliament. The first was John F Kennedy in June 1963, nearly 60 years ago. It was a "very different world and a very different Ireland" then, Ó Fearghaíl says.

"It is particularly fitting therefore that you should address us so close to that important anniversary," he adds.

Ó Fearghaíl wishes Kennedy's grand-nephew Joseph Kennedy III - the new US economic envoy to Northern Ireland - success in his "important role of supporting peace and prosperity".

He goes on to list some of the distinguished guests in this evening's audience.

The US president gets a round of applause from the audience as he comes in.

Former prime ministers, presidents and party leaders are (slowly) taking their seats after a long wait to listen to Joe Biden address the Irish parliament.

Seen chatting in the chamber were former Irish president Mary McAleese, in conversation with former taoiseach (Irish PM) Enda Kenny.

Standing next to them was another former taoiseach Bertie Ahern - one the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, signed in Belfast in 1998.

He's been talking to Gerry Adams, former president of Sinn Féin.

We've also seen US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the room.

The Irish parliament continues its wait for Joe Biden to begin his speech.

Politicians, guests and other dignitaries are milling around and chatting inside the Dáil chamber.

Stick with us and we'll bring you all the key lines from Biden's address - or click the Play button at the top of the page to watch along.

Image source, PA Media

The motorcade carrying Joe Biden is arriving at the Irish parliament now.

The US president will give a speech to assembled politicians and guests in the Dáil (lower house) chamber shortly.

Chris Andrews
Reporting from Dublin

Among the security measures in place, bins have been taped up around Dublin Castle, while the roads around the Oireachtas are closed.

Phoenix Park was also under lockdown during Biden's time there.

Besides the main trip locations, however, Dublin life continues as normal with few signs of extra bunting or flags for the special guest.

There are many American accents on display around town, while many bars fly the stars and stripes - but this is not unusual for Dublin. Biden is not the only person stateside who wishes to visit Ireland.

Peggy Iverson from Iowa is in town for a conference and says she believes there is “definitely excitement” around the city over the visit, and that it's “wonderful he is here and is supporting the Irish relationship”.

Joe Biden is finally on his way to the Irish parliament.

Silence briefly fell in the Dáil chamber after the assembled politicians and dignitaries were told that the US president had left Phoenix Park and was heading towards Leinster House.

Biden left Farmleigh House - which is inside the park - more than an hour ago, but we're not entirely clear on what he's been doing in the meantime.

After the announcement, many in the Dáil chamber began to find their seats.

Image source, RTE

President Biden's itinerary is running more than an hour late at the moment - but that's a good sign, says Irish PM Leo Varadkar.

"One thing I really noticed about the visit is that President Biden is really interested in talking to people and engaging with people, and we're running a little behind schedule as you know," he said. In many ways, "that's for a good reason" he added.

The pair paused after talks at Farmleigh House to watch a sports exhibition by local children. Varadkar hailed Biden's decision to take "extra time with people", and his knowledge of Gaelic games.

Image source, RTE

Let's bring you a little bit more of what Irish PM Leo Varadkar told reporters earlier.

The taoiseach was asked what the Irish and UK governments could do to help restore Northern Ireland's devolved government. Stormont is in shutdown due to a protest by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Specifically, Varadkar was asked what role he could play if power-sharing institutions (which underpin the functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement) were not functional for a long period.

He said it was a "very valid question" but that he would need to speak to his British counterpart Rishi Sunak before making a public comment on that issue.

But he added: "Plan A is the only plan we have at the moment, and that is to get the Good Friday Agreement working as envisaged, have the five parties form an executive. Four of them want to, one doesn't."

He expressed hope the DUP could be convinced to return to government.

"I think it is possible to get the DUP on board and then, not only crucially have the power-sharing institutions up and running in Northern Ireland, but also the north-south bodies which are very important too."

Aoife Walsh
Live reporter

Image source, PresidentIRL/TikTok

While we wait for Biden to appear again, let's revisit one of the day's most colourful moments - a meeting between the US leader and the dog of Irish President Michael D Higgins (see our earlier post).

As many world leaders and dignitaries have come to learn, a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin (the president's house) is not complete without meeting Bród and Misneach: Higgins' beloved pets.

The two Bernese mountain dogs rarely leave Higgins’ side and have a reputation for stealing his limelight during live television interviews and photo calls.

Bród has been with Higgins for about 10 years, while Misneach - an Irish name meaning "courage" - is a relatively new addition to Áras an Uachtaráin.

Misneach wasted no time in making his presence known. He went viral on social media in 2021 for his antics next to President Higgins, while he was being interviewed by national broadcaster RTÉ.

Not satisfied with his attention being elsewhere, Misneach pawed at President Higgins' side until he eventually held his paw.

Between them, Bród and Misneach have greeted many visitors, including Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and France's President Emmanuel Macron.

When Macron visited in 2021, Higgins told him that Bród was a more "experienced diplomat" in comparison to then six-month-old Misneach.

Image source, Getty Images

We were expecting Joe Biden to address a joint sitting of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) at about 15.45 local time.

Although the US president has already departed his previous engagement at Farmleigh House, there's no sign of his motorcade outside Leinster House yet.

We'll be bringing you the details of his historic address - thanks for bearing with us.

Will we hear more poetry from the US president when he gives his speech shortly?

Joe Biden is known for his love of Irish literature, regularly referencing successful writers and poetry in his speeches. In Northern Ireland yesterday, he quoted The Coal Jetty, by Belfast poet Sinead Morrissey.

Morrissey was out shopping while Biden was making his speech and had "no idea" her work was being quoted by the world's most powerful man.

"I was in a DIY shop without my phone and I came home and there were 25 missed calls and messages from people," she told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme earlier.

Image source, Sinead Morrissey

Biden used lines from her poem to illustrate how Northern Ireland has been transformed by the Good Friday Agreement - a peace deal signed in 1998.

He said: "In the words of Morrissey, Belfast’s first poet laureate: 'What’s left is dark and quiet, but bookended by light as when Dorothy opens the dull cabin door, what happens outside is technicolour'."

Morrisey said it was "an honour" that her poem was used in "such a positive speech".

Chris Page
Ireland correspondent

Joe Biden will be the fourth US president to address the Irish parliament - after John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

Bertie Ahern - who led the Irish government when the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998 - has arrived at the parliament building in Dublin.

Five out of 160 members of the lower house (Dáil Eireann) are boycotting Biden’s speech.

They are from the left-wing People Before Profit Alliance, which has strong objections to US foreign policy.

But for other political parties, the speech is a major national event - a demonstration that Ireland commands more American attention than most countries of a similar size.

Image source, PA Media

Armed gardaí (Irish police) have been surrounding Ireland's parliament building ahead of US President Biden's speech expected shortly.

They've been pictured outside Leinster House - also known as the Houses of the Oireachtas - holding binoculars and guns.

Armed secret service agents will also be on guard to protect the US president when he makes his address in the Dáil chamber, the lower house of the Oireachtas.

The agents won't be in the chamber, but instead stationed behind a doorway within two metres of Biden, the Irish Independent reported. , external

“They will have eyeballs on him through the door being ajar, and will be able to react within two seconds – not that anything is going to happen,” the newspaper quotes a senior Oireachtas source as saying.

“The policy is that there are no guns allowed in the chamber. That is a historical hangover from the Civil War.”

Image source, Getty Images

US President Joe Biden is due to address the Irish parliament shortly.

We'll be keeping you updated with text updates here - but you can also stream him live by pressing the triangular Play button at the top of this page.