SOCIAL DEMOCRATS LEADER Holly Cairns has said Taoiseach Micheál Martin should go to the White House for St Patrick’s Day this year, stating that he should use Ireland’s “unique platform” to convey a strong message that “we don’t bow down to bullies”. 

The Taoiseach confirmed last night that he had received and accepted a formal invitation from US President Donald Trump for St Patrick’s Day. 

Speaking to reporters in Cork this morning ahead of the second day of the Social Democrat’s National Conference, Cairns said “given the height of contentious things coming from the White House at the moment it is perhaps more important than ever to use this unique platform that Ireland has”. 

She said Ireland is a small country, but it can be a very influential one.

“We can be a really strong voice for peace. We think Micheál Martin should use this opportunity to use that strong voice to express the will of the Irish people,” said the SocDems leader.

Micheál Martin with his wife Mary presenting the bowl of shamrock to Donald Trump last year. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

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The bowl of shamrock

When asked if the Taoiseach should partake in the traditional handing over of the bowl of shamrock to Trump this year, which is done in a ceremony after the official Oval Office meeting, Cairns said:

“I think the bowl of shamrocks is kind of neither here nor there with regard to what is going on in the world.

Whether or not he presents the shamrocks and how he does it is really a matter for him. 

“I think what he needs to focus on getting across is that we stand with our EU partners in Ireland and that we do not bow down to bullies and that we will not be on his so-called Peace Board. I think they are the key things Micheál Martin needs to get across. Whether the shamrocks are a part of that, is a matter for Micheál Martin,” she concluded. 

While the Taoiseach has support from his government colleagues to make the trip stateside this year, some opposition TDs, such as those in People Before Profit, are calling on Martin to boycott the trip this year.