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TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has described US President Joe Biden as being “an outstanding friend of Ireland, particularly during the Brexit period” whilst indicating that all politicians can make slips of tongue from time to time.
The 81-year-old President is fighting to maintain his position as the Democratic Party candidate in November’s election.
But instead of campaign, he and his team’s attention has been turned to swatting away criticisms, including from his own party, that he is too old to run for a second term or that he won’t be capable to govern for a further four years.
The incumbent’s campaign spiralled into disarray after his performance in the first televised election debate with Donald Trump, which triggered panic among Democrats and calls for the sitting US president to pull out of the race.
He still remains defiant about his mental fitness despite verbal gaffes at the NATO press conference which included him mistakenly referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Later, at a much-anticipated press conference, he referred to his own Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump”.
Speaking in Midleton, Co Cork today, Martin said that he was conscious of the need not to embroil ourselves in election campaigns of other countries. However, he stated that President Biden has always been a force for good when it comes to this country.
“I think [President Biden] has been an outstanding friend of Ireland, particularly during the Brexit period when his firmness and straight talking made it very clear to the then British Government that any interference with the Good Friday Agreement or any prospect of undermining the Good Friday Agreement would not be tolerated by the US Government,” the Tánaiste said.
“That was significant, it was clear and I met him when he came to Ireland. He was very active, we discussed a wide range of issues and he put in a very long couple of days meeting with people.”
Martin said that President Biden is at his best when he is out on the hustings and meeting with people: “I think it was (former Taoiseach) Enda Kenny who said to me that he was a retail politician – he gets energy from people. I certainly discovered that in Dundalk that day.”
“President Biden has been a good friend to Ireland. We all say things from time-to-time in interviews so I don’t worry too much about those kind of errors.”
“He has made it very clear he is running – that is a matter for the President himself and the Democratic party. But he is clear – he is running and he has the delegates,” he added.
He added that with Joe Kennedy as an envoy, that positive influence continues in terms of economic development in Northern Ireland.
With reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill
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I imagine the equivalent of a paper jam on a 3D printer must be horrendous
Hehehe comment of the day. ..
Phenomenal business idea.
1: Buy 3D printer
2: Print out more 3D printers and sell them.
Sounds like the machines can now repoduce. *screams* THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD I TELLS YA!!!!
Would probably still be better quality than the majority of house built in this country during the Celtic tiger years.
This is actually exciting news in terms of construction technology.
Spot on.
This system would save us 100′s of millions and solve the housing “crisis” without having to fatten up crony NAMA builders pocket’s.
3d printing is going to have a massive impact on the world we live in. This technology will make many existing jobs redundant in the future.
It will definitely be a game changer it becomes practical anyway
Can’t wait
*bit torrents new conservatory
Imagine what this technology could do in countries like Brazil, India, Mexico or any country with a huge slum problem. Also the impact it could have in disaster zones, if houses like this could be built in 24 hrs in Haiti, New Orleans and other areas soon after the disasters there I’m pretty sure it would have made a huge difference to those people affected.
I’m no expert, but the article said each home cost $4800. Seems much cheaper than traditional building.
I just can’t get my head around 3d printing. I try , but It’s beyond me . I need to be led to a darkened room and allowed to sit down when I try to understand it. Am I alone? But I’m just so happy that some amazing people in the world have developed this technology.
‘Howiya Martin. Come here to me, am lookin’ for one of them 3D 24-Hour houses. Can ya do anythin’ for me?’
‘No problem Mick. I’ll tell ya what, I started one this morning but I should have her done by the end of June. How would then suit ya?’
‘The finest Martin. Take her easy. And if she comes easy take her home. Hah?! Go on’.
1500 square metres of house for $4800?
That’s assuming a single story, possibly double that for not much more.
That would solve the housing crisis here.
And just imagine what humanity could spend their resources on..
Could you not just live in a 3D printer that size
That’s my kind of thinking symbolism!
Just how good are hey at standing up to gale force winds, heavy rain, snow etc the sort of weather we get here. Does seem that it might be an answer to housing problems world wide.
Concrete built is better built… ;)
For $4800 you could build a new house every year and still be better off financially. Concrete is an expensive, slow and outdated way to build houses.
Concrete is cheap, the thousands of man hours required to turn it in to a house aren’t.
All good untill hurricane force winds hit it
You seem to know a lot about the physics behind the structural strength of these houses. Can you elaborate on what you know in terms of the houses structural inability to stand up to Gale force winds?
I know they said the building industry said the same about Timber frame houses in the 1980′s. But they were proven wrong.
in fairness cal most timber frame houses in Ireland have a block/brick outer leaf…
The Chinese,a great bunch of lads
Maybe the next invention would be a plastic 3D cooker to go with the house – doh!
Excuse my ignorance but is it normal breathing in plastic? Chinese workers gave died or became ill due to work conditions concerning plastics
You don’t breath it; its a house, you live in it.
Or, you’d suffocate fairly quickly if you stopped breathing in the house.
Maybe build a 3D oxigen mask
But isn’t the problem we have is that there are so many unused houses
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have your say