'I am not sitting outside roaring and shouting'-Cork TD Collins to celebrate July 4 at US embassy

The Independent Ireland leader and Cork South West TD Michael Collins has confirmed that he will be attending the 4th of July celebrations at the US Embassy.

A number of Opposition politicians already are reported to have stated that they will decline their invitation to attend the celebrations at the US embassy.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Collins outlined that attending the event next week at the US Embassy is the only opportunity he feels to discuss a number of key issues relation to Ireland and the United States.

“Absolutely, it is a hugely important occasion for any Irish politician that is worth their salt to meet with the Ambassador of the United States.

“We have a huge amount of issues that we want to discuss. This is my only opportunity to discuss them.

“I am not sitting outside the fence roaring and shouting and doing nothing.

"I am going in to see can we speak about J1 Visas, there are a lot of serious concerns about the J1s going forward.

“I also want to talk to the Ambassador and that he relays a message back to the United States, that we are have serious concerns in relations to tariffs, serious concerns in relation to 350,000- 400,000 American Irish jobs in Ireland that we need to protect.” 

 Mr Collins added: “If don’t have dialogue and we don’t take the opportunity to sit down and discuss issues that we will get on that day, as far as I am concerned those politicians aren’t worth their salt.

“I hear some of the opposition shouting we are not going to go in (to the US Embassy).

"What are they going to do? Shout on the edge of a fence and over the wire to someone? That is not how politics works.

“Yes, we do have issues ... we would never condone what is going on in Palestine and what is going on in Iran.

“But we certainly cannot resolve issues if we don’t speak. 

"We are taking up our opportunity to speak with the US Ambassador on Thursday evening.”