Taoiseach bound for Texas as part of St Patrick's Day 'diplomatic blitz'
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
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.
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.
The president is also gifted a bowl of shamrocks as part of the visit.
The meeting acts as the centrepiece of the Government’s major diplomatic push for the annual holiday, with most Ministers travelling to destinations across the world.
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.”
Concerns have been raised that US president Donald Trump may not invite Mr Martin to the White House, in protest over Ireland’s criticism of Israel.
Mr Martin said: “We’re anticipating the tradition will be continued again this year.”
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.”
At the same time, opposition parties have argued that the Taoiseach should not go ahead with any visit – should an invite be forthcoming – because of the US administration’s support of Israel’s war effort in Gaza.
Mr Martin said it was “very positive” for Government ministers to go on a large-scale diplomatic push for St Patrick’s Day every year.
He said calls for a boycott were “reckless and irresponsible”.
“That’s really ignoring the livelihoods of workers across the length and breadth of this country who depend on a good strong positive relationship between the United States and Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Tanaiste Simon Harris said he intended to go to New York and Philadelphia.
On the potential impact of tariffs on the EU, Mr Harris said: “The last thing we need is tit-for-tat tariffs.
“I think what we need to do is explore how we can proactively engage with the United States administration to really make the point that free trade between the European Union and the US isn’t just good for people in Europe, it’s good for the many millions of people who voted for Donald Trump.”
