Taoiseach to discuss Middle East with Trump on St Patrick's Day
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
The Taoiseach expects to “discuss global matters” including the Middle East when he meets US President Donald Trump for St Patrick’s Day.
Micheál Martin will begin his trip to the US with engagements in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before travelling to Washington DC for the traditional celebrations for Ireland’s national holiday.
His itinerary includes a bilateral with Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday.
I expect there will also be an opportunity to discuss global matters
Last year’s meeting saw the US president take questions from reporters for almost an hour.
The Government said the discussions will cover a range of issues, including the “deep ties” between the two countries.
Martin said: “I look forward to meeting with President Trump to reflect with him on the close bonds between our nations, including our dynamic economic partnership, and to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“I expect there will also be an opportunity to discuss global matters, including how Ireland and the EU can work with the United States to reach peaceful resolutions in the Middle East and Ukraine.”
The meeting will be followed by a reception in which the president will be gifted a bowl of shamrock, as part of annual tradition.
Also on March 17th, the Taoiseach and his wife Mary, will be hosted for breakfast by vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha, and for lunch on Capitol Hill by speaker Mike Johnson for the traditional Friends of Ireland gathering.
The Taoiseach’s programme commences on Saturday, where he will attend events at the Irish memorial, the Museum of the American Revolution, and open the new premises of the Irish Diaspora Centre in Philadelphia.
He will deliver a keynote address at Villanova University as part of the Centre for Irish Studies America250 lecture series.
On Saturday evening, he will attend the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick 255th annual St Patrick’s Gala.
On Sunday, he will attend the Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade and lay a wreath at the statue of Commodore John Barry.
He will also address the annual dinner of The Ireland Funds on Monday evening.
Martin said: “St Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to recognise Ireland’s global community and the enduring connections that link people of Irish heritage around the world.
“The relationship between Ireland and the United States is one of our most enduring, rooted in history and exemplified by the roles so many Irish immigrants played in the pursuit of American independence some 250 years ago.
He added: “The US and Ireland are close partners, with generations of economic, diplomatic, political, cultural and people-to-people links.
“My visit is also an opportunity to highlight the substantial trade and investment relationship between our two nations.
“Ireland is the fifth largest foreign investor in America, and Irish companies employ 200,000 people across every sector and every state of the United States.
“I will be engaging with US and Irish businesses during my visit to learn about their work and future plans to further strengthen this relationship.”
Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she would be going to Washington to engage with the president, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Féin politicians are boycotting the White House.
