The Healey administration cannot yet say how much her mid-work week trip to Ireland will cost taxpayers, but her days on the Emerald Isle represent the continuation of a relationship between the states worth nearly half the Commonwealth’s annual budget, according to the Irish Foreign Minister.
In closing out a visit heavy with reminiscence of former President John F. Kennedy’s own historic diplomatic stop there 60 years ago, Gov. Maura Healey called her first overseas trip since taking office in January “remarkable” in a speech given alongside Tánaiste Micheál Martin, the country’s deputy leader and former prime minister, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, and the former president’s nephew.
The trade association between Ireland and the Bay State is currently worth about $27 billion per year, according to Martin, a “fantastic relationship, particularly in the life sciences.”
“A strong relationship in the technology to digital world, too. It’s all down to talent and to be open to talent,” he said.
“Homecoming: JFK In Ireland,” Wednesday’s event at the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, included a speech by a member of the Irish Defense Force who spoke of his travel to the U.S. as an 18-year-old to join Kennedy’s funeral honor guard. Speakers reflected on the changes in Ireland over the 60-years since JFK made his visit.
“I don’t think our family would have been surprised at what Ireland was capable of,” Stephen Kennedy Smith said. “When I look at Ireland today, I see a lot that America can learn in terms of police reform, in terms of skillful management of immigration policy, while maintaining a culture that has coherence in terms of economic policies that are open and smart. We’re all really looking forward to what is to come between our countries and what is to come for Ireland.”
Healey’s schedule shows her returning to the states on Friday. Her public schedule for Thursday indicates she will spend the evening with Cronin at the Deerfield Residence, which Kennedy visited in 1963, but lists no other events. During her trip, she addressed the Irish Senate and met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer and the Oireachtas LGBTQI+ Caucus.
“I’m leaving here just fueled with the warmth and the generosity of spirit of the Irish people. The goodwill, respecting one another and the fundamental decency of the Irish people has not changed. But to see what’s happened in terms of development, in terms of the economic engine and growth and opportunity, all the while not closing opportunities for others, is really inspiring and something I take back with me,” she said Wednesday.
According to Healey’s staff, the cost of her visit will be covered by the administration — i.e. the taxpayer — and other organizations.
“Final costs are still being determined, but we expect the administration, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MAPC) and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) to cover various aspects of the trip,” a Healey spokesperson told the Herald.
Herald reporter Chris Van Buskirk and wire services contributed.