Taoiseach Micheál Martin will head to Texas before an expected visit to the White House for St Patrick’s Day as part of a diplomatic blitz of the US by senior Ministers, reports Breaking News.
Mr Martin has yet to receive a formal invitation from the White House, but senior Government figures have expressed that this is not unusual and that there has been no indication that the traditional visit will not go ahead.
It has become an annual tradition for the Taoiseach to hold a bilateral meeting with the sitting US president in the Oval Office around St Patrick’s Day, reports Breaking News.
The president is also gifted a bowl of shamrocks as part of the visit.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Martin said: “I think it’s important, given our global trading position, and also to meet with the Irish diaspora, Irish communities across the globe who celebrate St Patrick’s Day. There’s a particular focus on the United States this year, given our extended diplomatic footprint that we’ve established over the last number of years in different states. I’ll be visiting Austin, Texas as well as Washington, and there’ll be an economic dimension to my visits there, as well as cultural and obviously meeting with diaspora as well,” reports Breaking News.
The majority of the ministers go to various locations across the world for the summit, which serves as the focal point of the government’s significant diplomatic campaign for the annual holiday.
There are worries that US President Donald Trump would decline Mr. Martin’s invitation to the White House because of Ireland’s criticism of Israel.
Mr Martin said: “We’re anticipating the tradition will be continued again this year,” reports Breaking News.
He added: “Overall, I think Donald Trump has had very positive views in respect of Ireland. And indeed, I met [US Vice President] JD Vance in Paris, and he’s fond of Ireland as well, and he articulated that There’s a broad range of issues. We’ve a very strong economic relationship with the United States. That’s important to Ireland, to many workers in Ireland, many people who depend on their livelihoods are working with US companies. And likewise, many American workers depend on Irish companies,” reports Breaking News.
Opposition parties have countered that the US administration’s backing of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza means the Taoiseach should not proceed with any visit, even if an invitation is imminent.
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