Irish premier ‘looking forward to meeting with President Trump’

Irish Premier Micheal Martin has said he is “looking forward” to his meeting with US President Donald Trump this week.

The Taoiseach conceded that politics is unpredictable, but described  Ireland as “confident in our contribution to America on a number of fronts”.

He declined to comment when asked if he had any “pre-meeting rituals” such as lucky socks, emphasising the confidence of Ireland and Irish people, and referencing Jessie Buckley’s Oscar win.

He also insisted he does not “feel under pressure” to address the war in the Middle East when meeting President Trump, or that recent anti-war comments by Irish President Catherine Connolly would be brought to Mr Trump’s attention.

He said there are “many wars in the world” currently and that the “horrendous conflict in Sudan” had “received precious little attention” in global commentary.

Speaking to the media in Washington DC on Monday morning, Mr Martin said he will “take tomorrow as it comes”.

“I mean, look at last evening, an Irish actress winning the Oscar, by all of the critics, an outstanding film,” he said.

“I mean, that’s where Ireland is today. We’re a self-confident country, self-confident people.

“And life is unpredictable, politics is unpredictable.

“So I’m enjoying what I’m doing today, I’m focused on the functions I have today and we take tomorrow when it comes, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Asked if he had any concerns that his meeting with Mr Trump would be similar to the experience of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr Martin said: “No, not at all.”

He added: “Let’s reflect. This is a week in which what we’re essentially doing – and we had been doing for many, many years – is honouring, affirming, a very historic relationship between United States and Ireland that goes back to the very foundation of the US itself, in terms of the Declaration of Independence, the War of Independence here, and the role that the Irish played 250 years ago – a role that was very significant,” he said.

“Then, over the succeeding generations – post-famine and so on – huge numbers came to these shores.”

Mr Martin is meeting with business leaders in the US capital today, and will later deliver the keynote address to the prestigious Ireland Funds National Gala.

On Sunday evening, the Taoiseach was cheered at an event at Ireland’s ambassador to the United States’s residence as he congratulated his nation’s rugby team on winning the Six Nations Triple Crown at the weekend.

He joked that he would add his thanks to England for “doing their very, very best to enable us to win the championship”, with reference to their narrow defeat to France, which saw Ireland miss out on the Six Nations title.

Mr Martin arrived in the US capital on Sunday evening following two days in Philadelphia, where he was marking the contribution of Irish people to the building of the country, 250 years on from the signing of the Declaration of Independence and taking part in the Pennsylvanian city’s St Patrick’s Day parade.

He also visited Memorial Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, before travelling to Washington DC, where he is set to have a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and continue the annual tradition of the Taoiseach presenting the US leader with a bowl of shamrock to mark St Patrick’s Day.

On Sunday evening, Geraldine Byrne Nason, the ambassador of Ireland to the United States, formally introduced the Taoiseach to a packed residence, with hundreds of guests, including Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Ms Byrne Nason hailed the last two days in Philadelphia with Mr Martin, seeing “more of that green thread woven through the great tapestry of the great United States from the very, very beginning”, and the “forever romance between Ireland and the United States”.

“It covers our politics, our culture, our history, our business and, most importantly, our people. That relationship between the United States and Ireland is enduring,” she said.

Mr Martin said celebrating St Patrick’s Day across the Atlantic carries particular resonance as the US marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“For Ireland, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is not simply an American anniversary, it reflects a shared history – Irish men and women were present at the founding of this great Republic. They served in American armies, worked in America’s cities, contributed to its great debates, and helped to inspire its dreams of a brighter tomorrow,” he said.

“The Irish helped to build the railroads, schools, churches and the very communities that shaped this great nation, from the earliest days to today, Irish hands and Irish hearts have helped to build America.”

He said Ireland’s own journey to independence was “inspired by the very noble ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence”, while in modern times, he said, “America played a decisive role in supporting peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland”.

“The Good Friday Agreement stands as one of the great diplomatic achievements of our shared history, shaped and sustained by American engagement,” he added.

“The story of Ireland and the United States is not static; it is living, it is evolving, it is being written every day by the people in this room, and as we look forward, we do so with confidence, we look to the next great chapter in the enduring bond between Ireland and the United States.”

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows was also among the guests, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald, Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP leader Claire Hanna have said they will not attend events with President Trump in the White House this St Patrick’s Day as part of a stance against his policies, including in the Middle East.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have also travelled to Washington DC, as well as business leaders and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.

Tanaiste Simon Harris marked Ireland’s national saint’s day by taking part in a parade in London on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons will jointly host a reception with the America250 Commission in the Senate on Wednesday, focusing on the contribution of people from Ulster to the development of the US, describing a “remarkable contribution by people from Ulster in founding the US and shaping its values”.

“For such a small place, we enjoy disproportionate access to the administration in Washington, and we must maximise the opportunity this presents to promote Northern Ireland and our unique history and offering,” he said.

“I look forward to building on established connections and making new ones during my visit, and telling the story of Northern Ireland’s powerful and unique contribution, and our continuing mutually beneficial relationship with the US.”