Ireland's Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has said the Taoiseach should accept an invitation to visit the White House on St Patrick's Day if one is extended, despite tensions over US President Donald Trump's threats regarding Greenland.
Mr Calleary told reporters that “very few countries get the opportunity” of “access to the president of the United States of America on an annual basis for a number of hours”. He added that the visit would be “a chance for him, as he did last year, to discuss face to face with the president various issues”.
Mr Trump has threatened to impose 10% tariffs on eight European allies from February 1 unless they agree to his purchase of Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, and has not ruled out using military force to seize the island. Mr Calleary said that by mid-March, the visit would offer “a chance for a face to face discussion for dialogue, which is always important at any time, particularly in times of pressure”.
In the Dáil, opposition TD Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit criticised Mr Trump’s actions, including his stance on Gaza, Venezuela, and use of immigration enforcement, and asked whether the Taoiseach would “go off to the White House and celebrate our national day and hand them shamrock”.
Micheál Martin did not directly confirm his intention to travel to Washington DC, but said: “We are in a very serious situation and our national interest, quite frankly, is to protect Irish workers.” He added that Ireland has “always had a very strong relationship with the US, irrespective of who the president happens to be”, underpinning a significant economic relationship.
