Roger Pollen spoke briefly with President Biden, following which he said:
“It was a privilege to be in Ulster University to hear President Biden address the people of Northern Ireland and also to get a brief opportunity to speak with him. The fact that Joe Biden, the President of the United States is in Belfast engaging in this way gives voice to the opportunity that lies ahead for all the people of Northern Ireland - if political leaders can work out their differences and help businesses build the framework for future prosperity. The wealth creators can deliver a new era of economic growth by working in close partnership with our friends in the US, and President Biden’s appointment of Joe Kennedy as US Special Envoy for Economic Affairs to Northern Ireland gives us a unique and immensely valuable additional asset."
“I thought the President delivered a very thoughtful and measured speech which not only reflected on the horrors of our troubled past, but also looked forward positively to the future, building on the peace delivered through the Belfast Agreement and creating genuine opportunity for future generations."
“To have an American President say that ‘our history is your history’, and talk warmly of helping unleash Northern Ireland’s economic potential, is a uniquely valuable status that no other country or region enjoys. The challenge is to make sure that we harness that support and potential so we do, indeed, unleash a period of unrivalled economic prosperity over the next 25 years.”