Debate contribution: USA-NI 250
Debate contribution by Mr Maolíosa McHugh on .
- MLA
- Mr Maolíosa McHugh
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 24 March 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Ministerial Statements
- Heading
- USA-NI 250
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5462940
Read the official Assembly record
Text
There is no doubt whatsoever about the enormous contribution that the Irish people have made to America over the past 250 years. It is only when you are in attendance in the likes of New York on St Patrick's Day — as I was, at my own expense — that you thoroughly appreciate the full extent and power of the Irish in America. However, we know that their positive contribution is not the whole story. When we talk about America250, will we also look at the negative aspects of the impact that many of our people made? I am thinking in particular of President Andrew Jackson, whose father was from Carrickfergus. He was the president who was responsible for what is known in American history as the "Trail of Tears", when the indigenous people were removed from their homes and transported to the other side of America. Thousands of them lost their lives. Will it embrace all of that part of the history, too, Minister?
165 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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