THE OBAMAS HAVE still not given any response to an invitation to accept the Freedom of the City, weeks out from their trip to Dublin.

In 2017, Dublin City Council voted to give the couple keys to the city. However, no official event involving the Obamas was held to mark the honour.

Lord Mayor Ray McAdam garnered controversy when he wrote to the Obamas in July offering to facilitate such an event during their next visit to Ireland.

The idea was described as ‘stupid’ by opposition councillors, including People Before Profit’s Conor Reddy who said the invitation should be rescinded over Obama’s support of Israel and military expansion in the Middle East whilst in office.

Another councillor said the award has become so lacking in meaning that “you could pick it up in Penneys”. Councillors had threatened to table an emergency motion to overturn the original 2017 vote.

However, the council’s September meeting has already happened, so such a motion will not be tabled before the Obama’s visit.

Opponents at the time argued that measures Obama had taken as president, such as the authorisation of drone strikes, large scale deportations and his cabinet’s support to overthrow the Honduran government, disqualified him from the award.

McAdam previously said the honour is not about US foreign policy, but rather “the contribution that was made of, what I believe was, a consequential US president”.

The Lord Mayor said today that he has yet to receive a response to the invitation, which was sent ahead of the Obama’s engagements in Dublin.

Barack is set to do a sit-down interview with journalist Fintan O’Toole in the 3Arena on 26 September.

The sold-out event promises a “unique opportunity to hear from one of America’s most transformational leaders.” 

Michelle is not expected to be on stage for the event.

The pair, who have mostly stepped away from public life, now focus on the running of the Obama Foundation.