Taoiseach says he'll engage 'respectfully' with Trump at St. Patrick's Day

Taoiseach Micheál Martin discussed on Wednesday, March 5 what he expects his St. Parick's Day meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC next week to look like.

After weeks of speculation, the Taoiseach confirmed last week that he received an invitation to meet with Trump in the Oval Office for St. Patrick's Day.

The announcement came amidst calls for politicians across the island of Ireland to boycott the annual events in Washington, DC due to the US response in Gaza. Similar boycott calls were made last year during the Biden administration.

The calls for a boycott intensified after US President Donald Trump said he would like to see the people of Gaza "resettled" in other countries and that the "US will take over Gaza."

The SDLP in Northern Ireland and People Before Profit in Ireland have both announced that they would not be attending, as did Sinn Féin.

TD Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Féin, later said that if she were Taoiseach, she would be making the visit. Similarly, Michelle O'Neill, the Vice President of Sinn Féin and the First Minister of Northern Ireland, acknowledged how unique the Taoiseach's opportunity is to meet with the US President.

On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin fielded questions from McDonald in what was his last Leaders' Questions session before he heads to the US for the St. Patrick's Day engagements.

McDonald said the Taoiseach's meeting with the US President "presents an opportunity to address Ireland’s interests, but also a moment to speak honestly with him and voice Ireland’s position clearly on pressing international affairs."

She went on to ask the Taoiseach to "set out for the Dáil very clearly what it is he will say to the US President regarding Ukraine and Gaza.

"Will he put it to President Trump that Ireland stands on the side of international law and diplomacy, that the sovereignty of Ukraine must be upheld, that the pressing and immediate priority now is to build peace through inclusive engagement and good faith dialogue?

"What will be the Taoiseach’s message to the American President in standing with the Palestinian people?

"Will he express Ireland’s strong view the US is catastrophically wrong on Gaza, that the proposal for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is an absolutely unacceptable breach of international law and deeply destabilising for the Middle East and the wider world?"

The Taoiseach responded: "The relationship of the United States with Ireland is older than the State itself and is an extremely important one.

"We are going fundamentally of course to celebrate the historical links between Ireland and the US. St. Patrick’s Day has always been the traditional day to do that, and St. Patrick’s week as well, and to be there for our diaspora.

"Some 30 million people claim Irish descent.

"In terms of the core issues, the economic relationship is very important. We are an open small economy."

He added: "We are pro-free trade and I will articulate that perspective.

"We will also articulate our views regarding Ukraine and the Middle East."

McDonald then pressed the Taoiseach to share "set out much more clearly what exactly he will say on Ukraine and, in particular, on Gaza and the Palestinian question."

The Taoiseach said: "In respect of peace, we want a peace settlement that is durable and sustainable in Ukraine.

"President Trump wants a peace settlement in Ukraine.

"There are different perspectives on how to arrive at that."

He continued: "In terms of Gaza and the Middle East, let us be clear. We want to consolidate the ceasefire and will be making that point very strongly. We want a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.

"The Arab peace initiative and the Arab proposals in respect of Gaza have come through, which have a lot to commend themselves."

The White House in Washington, DC for St. Patrick's Day 2021. (Getty Images)

Later on Wednesday, the Taoiseach spoke more about next week's visit to the US with reporters in Liverpool where he was attending a UK-Ireland Summit with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to the PA, the Taoiseach declined to be drawn on whether he would push back on any claims the US President might make during next week's St. Patrick's Day engagements stateside.

“I’m honoured to be going to the White House as well as looking forward to, again, celebrating what is a major historic tradition and relationship between Ireland and United States, particularly for Irish Americans and our diaspora there too,” the Taoiseach told reporters.

“Patrick’s week is always a very significant week and we will be discussing a range of issues, and particularly, again, the importance of the Irish/US relationship."

He added: “People come to the table with different perspectives. I respect people. I respect the offices that people hold.

“And I’m honoured to be invited to the White House as an Irish Taoiseach, given the relationship between our two countries, very strong economic relationship, but also the ties that bind Ireland and America together for a long, long time.

“And, you know, we will engage in a respectful manner. We will put our perspectives.

“No doubt, President Trump has his views and perspectives as well.

“But the important thing is to engage, and the important thing is to reflect on that relationship today and to make sure we can protect Irish economic interests, protect the livelihoods of people in Ireland – many, many workers depending on that – and also pointing out then how significant Irish investment is in the United States.

“Companies like Ryanair, Glanbia, Kerry Group, Icon, many, many more who create many, many thousands of jobs in America.

“And so it’s a very, very robust economic relationship that brings benefits to both sides.

“And we will have a good discussion, I’m sure.”