O'Neill and Little-Pengelly US visit a success but what will be lasting impact?
- Published
It was Emma Little-Pengelly and Michelle O'Neill's first outing together on the international stage
It will feel like mission accomplished for Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers.
Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly's first outing together on the international stage surpassed all expectations.
They brought the feel-good factor to Washington DC this week and generated lots of goodwill.
They were the go-to couple for selfies and even managed to upstage President Joe Biden in his own home.
But now that the green water has stopped flowing in the White House fountain, what will be the lasting impact of Washington 2024?
Number one, it has further cemented the relationship between Ms O'Neill and Mrs Little-Pengelly.
They were relaxed and more at ease as they shared the limelight, helped by the first minister describing the deputy first minister as the "joint head of government".
Referring to Northern Ireland and not the north of Ireland was another relationship-builder by Ms O'Neill.
Mrs Little-Pengelly talked up their respective Ulster-Scots and Irish nationalist credentials at every opportunity.
They had their cards and they knew when to play them.
Northern Ireland's leaders with Special Envoy Joe Kennedy and President Joe Biden
They also knew what to avoid.
There was no "England get out of Ireland" banner waiting in the New York parade for Ms O'Neill.
The old-school hardcore republican messages were nowhere to be seen as the "first minister for all" bounced between Washington and New York.
This was not the week to pull on the green jersey; instead it was all business suits as the pair sought to win over potential investors with Stormont's new found political stability.
With Special Envoy for Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy as chief cheerleader, they toured the business breakfasts and dinners.
They reported some successes, but it may be some time before pens hit paper.
Stormont's return was the prize they all wanted to share.
It was first item on the agenda when Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar met Mr Biden in the Oval Office.
Stormont's return was discussed by Joe Biden and Leo Varadkar
They both championed the restored Northern Ireland Executive.
But when the taoiseach was asked about his Fine Gael party power-sharing in the Republic of Ireland with the very same Sinn Féin, his answer was clear - not on my watch he said, as he questioned Sinn Féin's economic credentials.
In Trumpian mode he said Sinn Féin "would make Ireland broke again".
That was until a reporter pointed out he is currently sharing power with the party - Fianna Fáil - which left the country broke before.
Mr Varadkar conceded it was a fair point.
He was also asked about the prospect of Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald getting her hands on the shamrock bowl next year as taoiseach.
He didn't want to contemplate such a scenario.
But others did.
That's because, if the polls are correct, the Sinn Féin leader could be sitting alongside the US president in the Oval Office in 2025.
With Ms O'Neill playing the supporting role as first minister it would feel even greener than the White House fountain.
But which president will hold the keys to the house by then? The outgoing one or the one he replaced?
That showdown is coming in November.
Related topics
- Published3 February
