Two Irish government ministers will protest President Donald Trump in unprecedented move and defiance of Irish Prime Minister.
Two Irish government ministers will defy Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and join public protests against President Donald Trump during his upcoming, November, visit to Ireland.
Minister Finian McGrath and John Halligan, both independent politicians, say they cannot stand idly by when Trump arrives. It is unheard of for members of an Irish government to protest an officially invited head of state.
McGrath told the Irish Independent, Trump was "wrecking the planet" and insisted he would "not roll out the red carpet" for the United States President.
"I firmly believe Mr Trump's policies, both domestic and international, are causing major problems in the world especially around equality and immigration," he said.
Meanwhile Taoiseach Varadkar stated the offer of a visit came out of the blue and poses significant problems for the Irish government.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump celebrating St. Patrick's Day in 2018.
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Varadkar pointed out that the results of the Irish presidential election are due out on November 11 and Ireland had also planned to be present at the ceremonies for the 100th anniversary of the First World War, given the number of Irish who died fighting for Britain.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tells RTÉ Radio 1's The Marty Squad that confirmation of US President Donald Trump's visit to Dublin and Doonbeg in November came 'out of the blue' pic.twitter.com/REdyya0EIW
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 2, 2018
"We've got to work out on a program and all the rest of it but I think any program we will have will have to respect the fact that we will inaugurating our own President on the 11th of November.
"And also, will have to make sure that we have enough time and space to commemorate the Armistice because bear in mind hundreds of thousands of Irish people, including a lot of people from this city, fought in the First World War. We need to make sure that's appropriate and fits around that as well."
Varadkar stated he was aware of the deep anti-Trump sentiment.
"I know a lot of people dislike him. A lot of people object to him. A lot of people disagree with a lot of his policies, just as I do in fact. But he is the President of America.
"He is elected according to their rules, and the relationship between Ireland and the United States is so strong and so important, much more important than any Irish government or any US administration and I think we have to treat his office with the respect that it deserves."
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said protestors should gather in College Green in the heart of Dublin.
We'll be organising a protest against his visit. Help us to do so if you abhor his policies on climate change, refugee migration, trade wars, military expansion, economic inequality & the whole gung-ho, misogynistic, racially divisive show. #TrumpInIrelandhttps://t.co/wKKHzh1spb
— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) August 31, 2018
"Donald Trump's administration champions policies that are destroying our planet, destabilizing international order, and reaching new political depths by appealing to racism, misogyny, xenophobia and hatred," he said.
"These policies do not reflect the Irish people's values - we need to show him and the world that this is not normal," he added.
However, there will be a warm reception in Doonbeg, County Clare for Trump where his hotel and golf course employs about 300 locals at the height of the tourist season.
Clare-based Minister of State Pat Breen said the local community was "very positive" about Trump's visit.
"If you like him or not, the reality is he's the [American] president and this is more than about Donald Trump, it's about the American people and the relationship they have with Ireland," he said.
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