TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN is expected to make the traditional annual trip to the White House in March for St Patrick’s Day.

It is customary for the Taoiseach to visit the White House to celebrate the feast day with the Americans. But, as has happened in the last couple of years, questions have been raised as to whether he should go. 

Following Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European countries who oppose his plans to take over Greenland, Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said it would be “a very powerful symbol” for Ireland if the Fianna Fáil leader did not attend. 

“I would seriously question the validity of Micheál Martin making that trip,” he told Newstalk’s Anton Savage Show. 

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday, Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins said it’s “really important” that this year’s St Patrick’s Day trip goes ahead.

“I believe our Taoiseach should absolutely be going to the United States to have dialogue with the President, because if we don’t have dialogue and we don’t have diplomacy, then what do we have?”

So today, we’re asking: Should the Taoiseach visit the White House this St Patrick’s Day?