Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny to discuss bilateral relations and U.S. support for the political talks in Northern Ireland that began October 16th between the parties represented in the Northern Ireland Executive. The Vice President commended the Irish and UK governments for helping to organize the talks as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, and stressed that the United States also stands ready to assist the parties in whatever way possible. In this regard, the Vice President and Taoiseach discussed the diplomatic role that Senator Gary Hart can play in facilitating the discussions, as the Personal Representative of the Secretary of State.