The Ancient Order of Hibernians in the US is expressing serious concern over the delay in appointing a peace envoy to the North of Ireland.
It says the hold-up is all the more worrying as US President Joe Biden continually publicises his Irish roots.
Mick Mulvaney, who was the last envoy, vacated the role in January of 2021.
Neil Cosgrove of the AOH in New York says US involvement is now crucial at a time when the Stormont Parliament isn't sitting:
"We see a British government were Ireland is not a priority. They seem distracted, having had three prime ministers in three months. And I think it's time for the US to basically show that, you know, peace in Ireland is a US commitment, and not see our our legacy as far as having facilitated the Good Friday Agreement squandered to Westminster politics".
