Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

April 14, 2023

Ireland/United Kingdom/European Union

Q. How was your trip?

Q. Mr. President, how about that crowd?

Q. Did you like the rally, Mr. President? Did you have a good time? Did you have fun?

President Biden. The point I wanted to make is: There's a lot at stake. A lot at stake. And I think the combination of Irelandâthe whole islandâGreat Britain, Northern Ireland, the United States can change the way things occur on the continent.

And they're really going to beâthere's significant opportunities.

Ireland-U.S. Relations/Ireland's Economy

Q. What did youâwhat did you hear from people on your visit here?

President Biden. Nothing but "thank you" and a sense of optimism. They thought the Taoiseach was going to be able to move things along.

Look, think about it. Think about how much the economy is growing. Think about what's happening here. Think about the technology. Think about the cybersecurity capabilities.

There's a lot going on, a great deal going on here.

Leak of Classified U.S. Government Documents

Q. Any comment, Mr. President, on the arrest in the leaking case?

President Biden. Yes, I've instructed the Department to make sure that they get to the root of why he had access in the first place, number one.

And number two, to focus extensively on the extent to which it all occurred. And that's going on right now. I have nothing to report beyond what's already been reported.

Q. How long do you think that will take?

President Biden. Well, Iâthere's no way to predict how long an investigation will take. But I don't think it's going to take very long. I think we're getting to the bottom of it quicker thanâ [inaudible].

2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Q. Can you tell us whether the last few days have changed your calculus on when you'll make an announcement on your plans for 2024?

President Biden. No, no, no, no. I've already made that calculus. We'll announce it relatively soon. But the trip here just reinforced my sense of optimism about what can be done.

Q. So you've made a decision, you just have to announce it?

President Biden. I told you, my plan is to run again. Iââ

President Biden's Irish Ancestry

Q. Did you learn anything new about your family over these past few days?

President Biden. Well, I learned a couple things. I learned that there really are Hanafees in my dad's side of the family, and they're in Galway. I didn't get to see them all, but Iâand it was interesting that the IrishâI guess it's the Irish Historical Society or whoever does the genealogyââ

Prime Minister Varadkar. Yes, the genealogical. Yes.

President Biden. The Genealogical Society had some interesting things I didn't know. But, I meanânot fundamental. But look, you all came from somewhere. [Laughter] And mostâunlike my Secretary of Interior. [Laughter]

But anyway, it was aâit was a good trip.

President Biden's Travel to Ireland/President Biden's Private Residences

Q. Are you sadâare you sad to leave?

President Biden. No, I'm anxious to get home. I'm alwaysâI love Ireland, I love the people, and I love working with Taoiseach. But you know, home is where my heart is. [Laughter] And it's real.

And I'm getting to go home home. Because the Secret Service is working on my home in Delawareââ

Q. In Wilmington?

President Biden. In Wilmington, yes. You know, they're justââ

Q. What are they doing?

President Biden. Oh, putting in some windows that are bulletproof. That kind of thing they want to do.

And so I'm going to be going home to the place we have in Rehoboth. I've only been to it about 10 times. And my wife said it was 86 degrees at home at the beach. [*Laughter*]

Q. Oh, wow.

President Biden. So, anyway, thank you all very much.

Q. Thank you, Mr. President.

Prime Minister Varadkar. It's been a really great visit. A lot ofâa lot of work done. And really appreciate the President giving us so much time. So thank you.

Q. Thank you.

President Biden. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:39 p.m. on the tarmac at Ireland West Airport prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Dublin, Ireland. In his remarks, he referred to Airman First Class Jack

D. Teixeira, Massachusetts Air National Guard, who was arrested by Federal law enforcement authorities in North Dighton, MA, on April 13 on charges related to the dissemination of classified U.S. Government documents. Portions of these remarks could not be verified because the audio was incomplete.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Charlestown, Ireland; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Ireland, Prime Minister Varadkar.

Locations: Charlestown, Ireland.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Haaland, Debra A.; Teixeira, Jack D.; Varadkar, Leo.

Subjects: Classified national security information; Cybersecurity, strengthening efforts; Ireland, economic growth and development; Ireland, President Biden's visit; Ireland, Prime Minister; Ireland, relations with U.S.; Research and development; Secretary of the Interior.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300304.