The Taoiseach is set to “discuss global matters,” including the Middle East, during his St Patrick’s Day meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Micheál Martin will begin his US visit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before travelling to Washington DC for the traditional celebrations of Ireland’s national holiday, reports Breaking News.
His schedule includes a bilateral meeting with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
Last year, the US president answered reporters’ questions for nearly an hour during a similar engagement, reports Breaking News.
The Government said the discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including the “deep ties” between Ireland and the United States.
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, reports Breaking News.
“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 where the president will be presented with a bowl of shamrock, continuing the annual tradition.
On March 17th, the Taoiseach and his wife Mary will attend a breakfast hosted by Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, and a lunch on Capitol Hill hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson for the traditional Friends of Ireland gathering, reports Breaking News.
Martin’s visit begins on Saturday with events at the Irish Memorial, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the opening of the new 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 is scheduled to attend the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick 255th annual St Patrick’s Gala, reports Breaking News.
On Sunday, he will participate in the Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade and lay a wreath at the statue of Commodore John Barry.
He will also speak at the annual dinner of The Ireland Funds on Monday evening, reports Breaking News.
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, reports Breaking News.
“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, reports Breaking News.
“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, reports Breaking News.
Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly confirmed she will travel to Washington to engage with the president, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Féin politicians are boycotting the White House, reports Breaking News.
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