TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has confirmed he received a formal invitation today from US President Donald Trump to visit the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

In a speech at the Cork Chamber annual dinner this evening, Martin said that in his letter, Trump expressed that this visit would be an “opportunity to celebrate the warm and historic friendship between the US and Ireland”.

“The President also pays tribute to the Irish American community, who have made such an enormous contribution to the United States. He believes this is an opportunity to celebrate the special relationship between our two countries.

“Ireland’s relationship with the United States is as old as their republic and it was a vital one in the foundation of ours. It is a relationship which has been strengthened through a shared commitment to engagement and understanding,” the Taoiseach said this evening. 

Economic ties

Martin went on to outline how the “economic contacts” between Ireland and the US are of “enormous value to both of our countries – and this has at its foundation an open dialogue”.

The Taoiseach said he is looking forward to his meetings in Washington DC in March. 

“As we negotiate these challenging times, my focus in relations with all countries and especially in our critical relationships, is not on the short-term. It is on the long-term. On finding points of shared interest rather than opportunities for division,” he said.

There had been much speculation on whether an invite from the US president would be forthcoming this year given the geopolitical turmoil between the US and Europe over Greenland and trade tariffs. 

Earlier in the week, the Taoiseach said he was still waiting on the invite, but added that it was his understanding that the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the White House would go ahead this year.

“Soundings are taken on this every year and the situation is yes, we will be travelling,” he said on Tuesday. 

While the Taoiseach has support from his government colleagues to make the trip stateside this year, a number of the opposition parties are calling on Martin to boycott the trip this year.

When questioned in the Dáil about the trip in recent weeks, Martin said that his priority is protecting Irish workers.

“The world is in a very, very bad place,” he said, adding: 

“We are in a very serious situation and our national interest, quite frankly, is to protect Irish workers.”

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Speaking about the global challenges facing the world, Martin told the Cork Chamber dinner that no one can deny that today there is a crisis in international affairs.

“We have new and deep challenges to overcome. But we also we have incredible strengths in our country. I absolutely believe that we can secure and strengthen our interests now and, in the years, ahead,” he said.

‘Avoid knee-jerk reactions’

Martin went on to say that there is a need to “avoid knee-jerk reactions to every new development”.

The Taoiseach went on to say that Ireland has to play its part in helping to protect the values of free democracy.

“We must not stand on the sidelines as these values are threatened,” he said.