President Biden’s reported choice of former US Representative Joseph Kennedy III to serve as special envoy for Northern Ireland amid critical trade talks between the United Kingdom and European Union was largely hailed by Massachusetts political observers. The appointment of Kennedy, 42, as the next special envoy was reported by several media outlets, including Politico, Bloomberg, and the Washington Post. The Globe was not able to independently verify those reports Saturday. (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/17/metro/hes-perfect-choice-observers-hail-reported-pick-joe-kennedy-iii-special-envoy-northern-ireland/) Biden has long paid close attention to Irish affairs, and the post is seen as a critical role with UK and EU officials hammering out a post-Brexit protocol governing how trade will flow through Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which still share an open border. Voters in the United Kingdom decided to leave the European Union in 2016.