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LAST UPDATE | 12 Mar
DONALD TRUMP HAILED “the long and unique friendship between Americans and the Irish” as he was gifted the traditional bowl of shamrock by Taoiseach Micheál Martin tonight.
It followed a day of St Patrick’s celebrations in Washington, which began with a breakfast meeting between Martin and Vice President JD Vance.
At the Oval Office, President Trump dominated the joint press event with the Taoiseach, talking about the prospects of peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, tariffs, and how the Irish ‘took’ America’s pharmaceutical companies.
The Taoiseach invited both Trump and Vance to visit Ireland in the course of the day.
Updates by Lauren Boland, Jane Moore, Diarmuid Pepper, David MacRedmond, Daragh Brophy (and Jane Matthews in Washington).
Good morning!
Welcome to our coverage of Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office today.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest from the meeting as it happens.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews will be reporting live from Washington on the highly anticipated meeting, which forms part of the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the United States.
While Micheál Martin’s sit-down meeting with Donald Trump is the main event of the day, it is certainly not the only thing the Taoiseach will be doing in Washington.
Martin will first attend a breakfast meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at his official residence, the United States Naval Observatory, at around 12.30pm Irish time.
The Taoiseach will then head to the White House to meet Trump. He is due to arrive at around 2.45pm Irish time.
Both men will be accompanied by a gaggle of press as they sit down in the Oval Office for the traditional annual meeting, where they are expected to discuss Ireland’s relationship with the US and take questions from the media.
The Taoiseach will then speak to the media after the meeting at around 3.45pm Irish time.
Micheál Martin will then go on to the US Capitol building for a US Friends of Ireland luncheon hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson at around 5pm Irish time.
Later on, at around 8pm Irish time, the Taoiseach will return to the White House to take part in the traditional Shamrock Ceremony with Trump.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews reporting from Washington DC:
Irish media have arrived at the Naval Observatory, the VP’s residence in Washington DC ahead of the Taoiseach’s breakfast meeting with JD Vance.
The sniffer dog is being a very good boy, but was camera shy.
Last night, the Taoiseach was at a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador to the US. As he has been for the trip so far since arriving in Austin on Sunday, he seemed very relaxed and at ease.
Under the surface though, there’s no doubt some trepidation. A lot is riding on today’s events.
The Taoiseach has been inundated with advice about what he should say to Donald Trump during today’s hotly anticipated meeting.
The Journal asked our readers what they thought he should discuss with the US President, and we received a variety of responses – from “keep things short” and “urge more military aid for Ukraine” to “avoid politics” altogether.
Speaking to our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews in Washington DC last night, former White House press secretary Sean Spicer advised Micheál Martin not to bring up Gaza or other issues that don’t directly impact Ireland during his meeting with Trump.
You can read what he said here.
Have you ever wondered what it’s really like in the Oval Office during the long-held traditional meeting of taoisigh and US presidents?
Our Political Editor Christina Finn – who has been in the room for a number of these meetings – shares a behind the scenes look at the experience.
Here at home, US Secretary of State spoke to the media from Shannon Airport.
He arrived in Shannon on a flight from Saudi Arabia where there was a US-Ukraine meeting, and will soon fly to Quebec for a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers.
Rubio said “there is no military solution” to the Russia and Ukraine conflict and that negotiation has to start.
For that, “the bullets need to stop,” said Rubio.
He said there will be “multiple points of contact with Russia” and that the conversation with Ukraine centred on “what a negotiation process would look like”.
We’ve arrived at the Naval Observatory for Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s breakfast meeting with US Vice President JD Vance @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/z1vhou7clT
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
We shared former White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s advice to Micheál Martin with you earlier.
He was speaking to The Journal at a St Patrick’s Day reception hosted by the Irish Embassy in Washington DC last night, where he donned some green and white shamrock trousers for the occasion.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews says that US health secretary Robert F Kennedy has just entered US Vice President JD Vance’s official residence ahead of his breakfast meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary have just arrived at the US Vice President’s official residence for his breakfast meeting with JD Vance.
The Taoiseach and his wife were greeted by Vance and his wife Usha.
“I’ll do anything for the cameras”
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
The Taoiseach and his wife Mary have just been greeted by VP JD Vance and his wife Usha. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/DgacqxklFd
The Taoiseach invited US Vice President JD Vance to Ireland during their breakfast meeting.
During the meeting, Micheál Martin raised the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the Middle East and shared Ireland’s desire to work for peace.
In remarks to the media afterwards, Vance said the Irish-US relationship was “one of the great alliances and the great friendships between nations of the world.”
He also displayed his shamrock socks and suggested that if US President Donald Trump, who is “a big fan of conservative dress” notices them in the Oval Office later, the Taoiseach might intervene on his behalf to defend the “sock diplomacy”.
Martin thanked Vance and his wife for “opening their home to us”.
“You have made us feel right at home in this splendid house on our first St Patrick’s Day together, and I hope you will allow us to return the offer,” Martin said.
“I’ve been told that our small island holds a special place in your shared memories. You told me earlier that you enjoyed a road trip to Ireland.
“Now, the Vice President did say the road trip could be somewhat difficult the next time round given the number of vehicles that might have to be attached.”
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews, who was present for the meeting, said the exchange between both men was “extremely friendly and warm”.
In case you were wondering what JD Vance’s shamrock socks look like…
We have some more photos of the very friendly meeting between the Taoiseach and JD Vance.
“Mr Vice President, I know that we care deeply about the world that our children, and our children’s children inherit.”
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Strong focus on peace in the Taoiseach’s speech, with Northern Ireland, Ukraine and Middle East all mentioned.
@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/j3edU7SWK7
During the breakfast meeting, the Taoiseach focused strongly on peace.
“Nowhere is the strength of the US-Irish relationship more in evidence than in our peace process,” he said.
“44 years ago, President Reagan called for a ‘just and peaceful solution’ to the conflict that had for so long devastated lives on our island.”
He said politicians from both sides of the aisle rose to the occasion, and the lasting peace we enjoy in Ireland today is a signature achievement of US foreign policy.
This story of peace is one we wrote together.
The Taoiseach said that building peace “is a difficult and painstaking task”, and said Ireland is reading “to play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace, whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine or wherever”.
“We welcome very much the unrelenting focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to the task from his very first days in office, and we welcome the progress that has clearly been made.”
Martin said the US remains “an indispensable partner and global actor”.
Addressing Vance, he said: “I know we care deeply about the world our children and our children’s children inherit, and I know that the US and Ireland will continue to stand together, working tirelessly to secure a future that offers the promise of peace and prosperity.”
Interesting that JD Vance singled out Ireland’s tech industry as an area of future cooperation between the US and Ireland, particularly AI he said.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Really couldn’t have been a warmer welcome from the VP.
@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/IQL9z2p4F1
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews notes that during his remarks, JD Vance singled out Ireland’s tech industry.
The US Vice President said Ireland is “such a remarkable combination of incredible community, of beautiful landscape but also a lot of interesting technological growth”.
“I think that one of the more robust areas for us to work on with our Irish friends in the years to come is going to be technology, and particularly artificial intelligence, as we really take the next stage in important level of technological progress.”
US health secretary Robert F Kennedy was among those attending the breakfast meeting – and he was sat at the Taoiseach’s table.
Ireland’s ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason and US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh were also in attendance.
Taoiseach is joined by US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy at his table for breakfast @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/MBi9w18SE1
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Well it’s fair to say that Micheál Martin will be delighted with how that meeting went.
Our Political Editor Christina Finn has a full report on the Taoiseach’s breakfast with JD Vance.
You can read it here.
Muiris Ó Cearbhaill brings the latest from the EU:
Micheál Martin’s meeting in the Oval Office today will be watched closely by those in Brussels as the Taoiseach becomes the latest European leader to meet with US President Donald Trump, according to Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh.
Transatlantic relations are in rocky waters, with the early-morning tariff announcement today and apparent backsliding when it comes to collaboration between the US and member states.
Many members on the European Parliament’s delegation to the US expect the Taoiseach to take a firm and confident approach on trade discussions in the Oval Office today as the latest EU leader to visit Trump.
Others in Brussels are expecting him to act on behalf of the European Union today.
Speaking to The Journal from the European Parliament yesterday, Walsh, a MEP for Midlands-North West said “a lot of eyes” are on Martin as he prepares for this meeting.
According to her, trade relations between Washington D.C and Brussels will dominate much of the EU’s term.
“Within all of this, the question remains on how we become effective and how we get prepared for any situation,” she said. “I think this conversation is going to dominate the rest of the mandate.”
Martin is the latest European leader to take a visit to the White House and the first to sit in the Oval Office since the disastrous meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and today’s tariff announcement.
Reacting to news of the tariffs imposed by Trump on steel and aluminium today, Tánaiste Simon Harris said “it’s very regrettable to see the imposition of any tariffs”.
He said the European Union will now engage intensively with the United States over a period of weeks before introducing any retaliatory tariffs, which he said is the sensible thing to do.
Harris said it is important not to get into a “tit for tat” situation with tariffs, stating a way forward needs to be found.
What the Taoiseach “will be eager to do today” is to get across the message that the economic relationship between the US and Ireland is a two-way street, Harris said.
“We are now the sixth largest investor into the United States of America from an FDI point of view,” said Harris, adding that using St Patrick’s Day and the period beyond to get that message across that doing business with one another is mutually beneficial.
But what did Micheál Martin and JD Vance actually have for breakfast during their breakfast meeting, I hear you ask.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews caught a glimpse of the menu, which featured poached eggs benedict with roast potato cake and Irish soda bread.
Earlier today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that European allies need to be involved in any eventual deal on Ukraine.
“I think that they have to be necessarily involved,” Rubio told reporters on a refuelling stop in Shannon Airport, noting that Russia would seek removal of European sanctions imposed on it since the start of the war.
He arrived in Shannon on a flight from Saudi Arabia, where there was a US-Ukraine meeting, and is flying onwards to Quebec for a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers.
Now that the breakfast with Vance is out of the way, the next item on the Taoiseach’s itinerary is the big one: his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.
He’s due to arrive at the White House and be greeted by Trump at the entrance in about 20 minutes or so – we’ll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, there’s a new twist in the US-Canada trade war:
Canada has announced additional tariffs on CAN$29.8 billion ($20.7 billion / €19 billion) of US goods, retaliating against the US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Canada’s finance minister Dominic Leblanc said the Canadian tariffs that come into force tomorrow will hit products including computers and sports equipment.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews is in place in the White House press briefing room ahead of the Taoiseach’s arrival.
White House press briefing room now while we wait for Taoiseach to arrive. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/ioHtNKbY1k
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
The Taoiseach’s itinerary set his arrival time at the White House for 2.45pm Irish time but it looks like he’s a little late (not unusual at these types of events).
What we’re expecting to happen when the Taoiseach arrives is that Trump will greet him at the entrance of the White House, where the doors are currently open and waiting. They’ll sit down in the Oval Office and there’ll be a few minutes for media to take photographs and throw questions to the two of them. After that, they’ll be in a private meeting.
Trump’s deputy press secretary has shared this photo from outside the White House:
Celebrating our Irish heritage with the Taoiseach in town! ☘️ pic.twitter.com/DpFbZClQjo
— Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) March 12, 2025
Yesterday, members of the Burke family from Mayo were seen on a flight from Ireland to Washington DC.
It’s understood members of the Burke family are currently outside Blair House, a guest house located near the White House. It’s where guests tend to be on days like this but also where security cordons are established around the White House.
It’s unclear as of yet whether the Burkes have an invitation or if they are present to engage in protest activity.
Taoiseach expected any minute now @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/0KhxnGUXDC
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
He’s arrived: The Taoiseach has just landed at the White House and shaken hands with Trump at the entrance.
A smiling Micheál Martin shook hands with Trump as he arrived at the White House.
A journalist from US media outside the White House shouted to Trump as the Taoiseach arrived – “What’s your reaction to the latest inflation numbers in the US?”
“Pretty good news,” Trump called back.
The Taoiseach has just been greeted by President Trump @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/qEvMZbbRFX
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Currently, Trump is answering questions about workforce cuts hitting the US Department of Education.
Not much for Micheál Martin to contribute there.
Now a question to Trump about talks with Russia on ending the Ukraine war.
Is Micheál Martin going to get to quietly sail through this?
Trump, Martin and Vance have all just had a good laugh about the Vice President’s interesting looking socks.
“What’s with these socks?” asked Trump, which prompted laughter all round.
“The EU was set up to take advantage of the United States,” including Ireland, Trump said when asked about trade relations.
Trump said Ireland has “the entire US pharmaceutical sector in its grip,” but blamed “stupid” former US leaders.
The Taoiseach is struggling to get a word in as the press pool erupt with questions.
Much of this meeting with the press has been dominated by Trump answering questions on domestic political issues.
The Taoiseach has hardly said anything, while nodding along occasionally.
Martin was just asked by a reporter why Ireland would allow Rosie O’Donnell to move to Ireland.
Martin managed not to answer the question and Trump said he was “better off” not knowing her.
Asked about the difference in positions between Ireland and the US when it comes to Palestine and Israel, Martin said he and Trump had already briefly discussed the situation before the press arrived.
He emphasised the complexity of situations in the Middle East and managed to avoid stepping on Trump’s toes.
He stressed that Ireland’s position was informed by a humanitarian perspective.
“I think the Irish love Trump,” the President said.
“If I drained Ireland of all your companies,” he said, it might mean a loss of Irish-American support.
Trump also said “Conor’s great”, referring to Conor McGregor.
He said the Irish “are great fighters” and then brought up Micheál Martin’s father, who was a boxer.
Apple taxes have come up…
Trump said the company has been treated “very badly”, but he blamed the EU and not Ireland.
Martin made sure to jump in and say Ireland had fought against the EU decision to force Apple to pay Ireland billions in unpaid taxes.
Trump was asked about some parties on the island of Ireland, such as Sinn Féin and the SDLP, boycotting visits to Washington this year over his administration’s stance on Gaza.
Trump said he wasn’t aware of this boycott but Martin intervened to praise Trump on the “peace initiatives”.
Trump has brought up his Doonbeg golf resort and blamed the European Union for other stalled planning efforts.
Martin praised Trump as the only US President to invest directly in Ireland.
The Taoiseach said Doonbeg was “stunning”.
The Oval Office meeting between the Taoiseach and President Trump has concluded and Martin will be happy with how it went.
He managed to avoid getting caught out by the more awkward questions and the pair shared a few laughs.
Trump repeatedly blamed the European Union for issues regarding trade relations and even planning permission for golf resorts in Ireland.
Trump said on more than one occasion that those things were not Ireland’s fault.
Here are some of the main take-ways from the Oval Office meeting:
Trump said the relationship between himself and the Taoiseach and between the US and Ireland “is very, very strong and very, very good”.
While the US President voiced his displeasure at the number of US pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland, he didn’t hold it against the Irish government.
He did say Ireland was “lucky” he was not US President when those companies moved across the Atlantic though, as he would have placed 200% tariffs on them.
“We (the US) do have a massive deficit with Ireland because Ireland was very smart. They took our pharmaceutical companies away from presidents that didn’t know what they were doing – and you know, it’s too bad that happened,” Trump said.
The Apple tax situation reared its head and Trump said the EU was treating the tech company, and the US, “very badly”.
However, Trump did not blame Ireland for its receipt of billion of euro in taxes, instead taking aim at Brussels.
“They have not been fair. They sue our companies and win massive amounts of money,” Trump said.
The situation in Israel and Palestine was brought up, and the differing positions of Ireland and the US.
The Taoiseach praised Trump’s desire for “peace” in Gaza while saying the situation in the Middle East is “very complex”, adding that he had visited Israel after the Hamas-led attack of October 2023.
Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance parties had ruled out attending events in Washington and when Trump was asked about it, he said: “I haven’t heard that, I really haven’t heard that.”
Overall, it was a positive meeting for Micheál Martin, during which he sidestepped some of the thornier questions and seemed to get on well with Trump.
What was it like in the room? Our political correspondent Jane Matthews got this photograph in the Oval Office which gives some idea of the media presence in the room as the Taoiseach and Donald Trump spoke
“We have tremendous business relationships with Ireland and that will only get stronger,” Trump tells the Taoiseach.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
At one point he complimented Ireland for being smart in how it attracted US firms to set up base there, but he said it wouldn’t have happened on his watch. pic.twitter.com/8dqNViQYPM
Housing was one of the big themes of the meeting, and my colleague Muiris Ó Cearbhaill has written about it here. He wrote:
On housing, Trump described the issue as a ‘good problem’ to have and said: “I know this gentleman (Martin). He’ll get it solved.”
Estimates from the Housing Commission, included in a report last year, estimate that there is a shortage of quarter of a million homes in Ireland. Under the Programme for Government, the coalition has committed to building 300,000 homes by 2030.
While housing stocks remain low and rents remain high, record levels of people in emergency accommodation are recorded month-on-month. There has been a 13% yearly increase in the number people living in temporary accommodation.
The topic of the shortage in housing stock came up again when controversial political commentator Brian Glenn asked Martin what his priority would be if he were to launch a platform, similar to Trump’s, to ‘Make Ireland Great Again’.
The Taoiseach said: “The number one issue in Ireland is housing. To be honest, and I think was correctly pointed out, we’ve got to build more houses.”
JD Vance puts his face in his hands when the Taoiseach is asked a question about Rosie O’Donnell moving to Ireland and “lowering Ireland’s happiness level”.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/3AeKmEy5Mr
The contentious Occupied Territories Bill was brought up in the Oval Office, which our reporter Andrew Walsh covered here.
He wrote: On Gaza, Martin claimed Trump was “very clued in to the whole situation” this afternoon. Martin claimed Ireland “shares the president’s unrelenting focus on peace”, and reiterated Irish calls for a two-state solution.
Asked about the Occupied Territories Bill, Trump did not clarify if the topic had been brought up during discussions between the leaders. “We’re working hard with Israel. We’re working hard to see if we can solve the problem,” Trump said.
Trump was asked during the meeting who his favourite Irish person was, to which he replied: “I do happen to like your fighter,” referring to Conor McGregor.
“He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great, right?”
Trump then added that Ireland has “a lot of great fighters” and that it’s due to the Irish being “tough, smart, passionate people”.
Trump also said the Taoiseach was “better off not knowing” Rosie O’Donnell after Martin was asked about her move to Ireland.
You can read my colleague Diarmuid Pepper’s report here.
Quick turnaround now from the White House-
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Trump has met briefly with Northern Ireland deputy first minister Emma Little Pengelly at the Friends of Ireland luncheon that is hosted by House speaker Mike Johnson. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/QVNCS99BRt
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has welcomed Micheál Martin at a Friends of Ireland event.
The Taoiseach is delivering a speech now saying he is “honoured” to continue the tradition of Irish leaders visiting Washington on the week of St. Patrick’s Day.
Joking, Martin told President Trump that the statistics about Irish-American Medal of honour winners the president had referenced in his speech were all “verifiably true”.
Martin has praised the United States for standing “shoulder to shoulder” with Ireland over the years when the country faced challenges.
Martin told Trump “we wish you well” in his endeavours to achieve “peace” in conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine.
The Taoiseach concluded his short speech by thanking the gathering as Gaeilge, which was met with a warm round of applause.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin laughs as Trump tells him he hopes they will be doing this again for “at least another three years”.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Trump adds that the press “goes crazy” when he says that. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/53szLnOfWz
Former Irish Ambassador to the United States Daniel Mulhall has praised Micheál Martin’s approach to the meeting with Trump, saying “he wasn’t as deferential as Keir Starmer”, the UK Prime Minister.
He said Trump “likes to be liked and he likes to like people,” and Martin achieved that today.
He said he thinks the Taoiseach will be able to get Ireland’s position on US corporations across to Trump in their closed-door meeting.
That’s the Taoiseach and Trump departed now until the shamrock ceremony later this evening. pic.twitter.com/Bsy0VwCtDS
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
During Micheál Martin’s speech at the Friends of Ireland lunch, the Taoiseach said:
“President Trump, thank you for joining us today to mark our national day. You are a great friend of Ireland.
“I know there is one small corner in the west of Ireland – a beautiful and remote part called Doonbeg in Co Clare — which holds a very special place in your heart.
“And we hope to welcome you back to our small island and, indeed, to these particular greens, very soon.”
He also referred to US support during the Troubles.
“Throughout our Troubles, the Friends of Ireland – Republican and Democrat alike – held fast to a vision of Ireland not marred by violence or terror.
“You worked unrelentingly to realise that fragile hope. You stood shoulder to shoulder with us, no matter how fierce the challenge. And there were many such challenges.
“It is that same determination that, together, we must devote to today’s conflicts, whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine.
“Our shared history teaches us that peace, however elusive it may sometimes seem, is achievable. Its promise remains within grasp.
“Mr President, we are forever grateful for the United States’ contribution to transforming our island.”
Opposition politicians have been reacting to the Taoiseach’s meeting with Trump.
People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett has described his performance as “Utterly pathetic plámásing of Donald Trump”.
“Incredibly he praises Trump for his “peace efforts” when Trump is threatening to ethnically cleanse Gaza and is arming the genocidal Israeli regime to the teeth & telling the EU it must spend more on arms – shameful,” Barrett said.
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin also posted on X following the Oval Office meeting.
He took aim at the laughter at Trump’s comments on the Irish housing crisis.
Do the thousands of people in emergency shelters think this is funny?
— Eoin Ó Broin (@EOBroin) March 12, 2025
or those trapped on Council waiting lists?
or those paying rip off rents?
or those living in their parents box bedroom?
or those forced to emigrate?
Joking about the housing crisis is never "a good answer" https://t.co/SPjy7mZdCm
More insights from the luncheon from our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews:
Spot of River Dance at the House Speaker’s luncheon earlier pic.twitter.com/XEwU7M5F0M
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that cuts to US foreign aid under Trump have caused a “seismic shock” to global humanitarian work and that “many will die” as a result.
“Many will die because that aid is drying up,” said OCHA head Tom Fletcher.
He estimated that 300 million or more people are in need of humanitarian support worldwide and that “the pace and the scale of the funding cuts that we’ve faced are, of course, a seismic shock to the sector”.
Since Trump returned to office in January, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been in the crosshairs of his administration’s quest to slash government spending, with ripple effects already felt around the globe. After freezing all foreign aid for review, the US State Department said last week it would end 83% of USAID contracts.
Without US funding, which Fletcher said “has saved hundreds of millions of lives”, the estimated reach of UN humanitarian aid has been downsized .
“I’ve got colleagues in Geneva right now trying to identify how we could prioritize the saving of 100 million lives and what that would cost us in the coming year.”
The next item on the itinerary is the traditional gifting of shamrock, which will bring the Taoiseach and Trump together again for the last time today.
Media are getting situated to await their arrival but it’ll be another hour or so at least until it starts.
Here are some more photos from throughout the day:
The Taoiseach has been speaking to media again in recent minutes.
He said that it has so far been a “very positive engagement”.
“It’s very clear that the pressident like Ireland,” Martin said.
“My overriding objective is to try to present the narrative that Ireland’s relationship with America is a two way-relationship economically,” Martin said.
He said he referenced Ryanair and AirCap’s “very significant” purchases of Boeing planes as an example “of that two-way relationship”.
Opposition TDs have a lot to say about Martin’s performance.
The Taoiseach joining in the laughter about the Irish Housing Crisis is sickening.
— Rory Hearne (@RoryHearneGaffs) March 12, 2025
There's nothing funny about record homelessness, a generation stuck in overpriced rentals, stuck in childhood bedrooms or emigrating... pic.twitter.com/7HDMru5aFy
Donald Trump is actively advocating the complete ethnic cleansing of Gaza. He shared a dystopian video of what this nightmare would look like.
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) March 12, 2025
The Taoiseach claims Trump has an "unrelenting focus on peace"!
This is disgusting craven genocide apologism. pic.twitter.com/rIiKR5m9o3
Members of the Burke family from Mayo have been spotted protesting in DC.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews asked them about their aims in coming to the US but the Burkes did not respond.
If you have 50 minutes to hand, here’s the full video of the public portion of Trump and Martin’s meeting in the Oval Office.
Members of the Burke family are protesting in Washington DC on the outskirts of the White House where the Shamrock Ceremony will soon begin.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
They did not want to speak to Irish media. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/riXzzis40x
Evening – it’s Daragh Brophy taking over the liveblog ahead of the traditional shamrock ceremony, which is due to go ahead shortly.
We can confirm the shamrock has arrived, at least.
The shamrock has arrived ! pic.twitter.com/CDeQ6duVaa
— Feargal O'Rourke (@FeargalORourke) March 12, 2025
There was a strong Northern Ireland presence at the Friends of Ireland luncheon at the US Capitol despite the Sinn Féin boycott, Martin told reporters this evening in Washington.
Asked for his reaction to President Donald Trump saying he was unaware some parties had decided to boycott Washington, DC events, Martin said:
“I’m not going to comment on that.
“I note that there was a strong presence in Northern Ireland at the lunch. I saw Hilary Benn there, the Northern Secretary of State.
“I met with the Friends of Ireland just now, and they’re they were appreciative of the progress that has been made in respect of the relationship between the United Kingdom Government and the Irish Government and I briefed them on the progress that has been made now between the UK Government and the Irish Government and also the progress within Northern Ireland itself and the Executive over a year in existence and going well, and the chemistry between the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and so on, being very positive.
“And I briefed him on the annual summit that was held last week.
“So I think that was a much different narrative to maybe one that would have been presented to the Friends of Ireland two years ago or three years ago.”
The DUP weren’t boycotting today – and the party’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said Trump took “a huge amount of interest in Northern Ireland”.
Speaking to the PA news agency after the Friends of Ireland luncheon, Little-Pengelly said:
“I had a really good conversation with the President. Of course, we started out discussing Ukraine and the need for a peaceful resolution to that situation.
“But of course, we moved on to talk about Northern Ireland. He showed a huge amount of interest in Northern Ireland, a recognition of Northern Ireland – particularly the golf, it has to be said.
“We talked about the longstanding relationship that the US has had with Northern Ireland has been obviously beneficial to Northern Ireland, but I think mutually beneficial to both jurisdictions.”
She said it is important that people in Washington DC are “speaking up for Northern Ireland” amid a deepening trade war.
Asked about Trump saying he was unaware some Northern Ireland parties are undertaking a boycott of the Washington trip, Little-Pengelly said: “It’s a matter for Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin.”
She added: “I think it’s incredibly important for me to be here. We get unparalleled levels of access.”
Some more of those post-Oval Office comments from the Taoiseach, who has been speaking to reporters in Washington this evening…
Describing the meeting as very positive, Martin said he was focused on presenting the narrative that there is a two-way trade relationship between Ireland and the US.
“It’s very clear that the president likes Ireland. He has strong affection for the Irish people,” he said.
In a reference to Trump’s comments about Ireland “taking” US pharmaceutical companies, Martin said:
“He was particularly complimentary in terms of the Irish approach in terms of economic management over the last number of decades.
“I think he put it in a fairly different way than perhaps people might have expected but nonetheless, he was clear.
“And he spoke about to us in terms of the impact of the Irish on the US, his own experiences in New York in terms of the Irish influence.”
He added:
“My overriding objective was to try and present the narrative and the story that Ireland’s relationship with America is a two-relationship economically.”
Asked about criticism from the opposition parties that he had not been more forceful on Gaza, Martin said he gave Ireland’s “broad approach”.
He said he communicated “the essence of what I believe in terms of the Middle East which I’ve been consistent on from the very beginning”.
Trade is a two way street. Ireland is investing a lot in the US.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 12, 2025
🇮🇪 & 🇺🇸 have a very good relationship - it’s a historic relationship that will continue to develop & endure into the future. pic.twitter.com/eGDGKU0tWU
Green ties wherever you look and a spotting of superhoofer Michael Flatley in the wild – that can only mean one thing…
Shamrock ceremony is about to commence in the White House. Spotted: Michael Flatley and also a Green MAGA hat pic.twitter.com/XxvW9GBF6f
— Claire Scott (@ClaireH_Scott) March 12, 2025
The ceremony has started and is streaming here…
Trump has kicked things off by wishing everyone an early St Patrick’s day, paying tribute to the Taoiseach and his wife and talking briefly in passing about Doonbeg, which he says “does very well so I like it”.
“If it didn’t do well I wouldn’t like it.”
“One of the greatest dancers in the world.” - Trump gives a special welcome to Michael Flatley as the shamrock ceremony gets underway in the White House.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/O1L19AkSnV
Trump paid a rambling tribute to Flatley as he referenced various Irish-American politicans and officials in the room.
Flatley and his troupe performed for Trump during his first inauguration ceremony in 2017, and the president told him he’d seen him dance many times before asking if he could “still dance like that” or if “Father Time” had caught up with him.
Flatley is long retired and hasn’t been well recently.
A typically freewheeling speech from a relaxed Trump to kick off the ceremony - namechecking various politicans and gently needling some for their claims of Irish heritage.
“How much Irish do you have in you – really?”
“None! He said none.”
Only occasional glances at the script for the serious bits, and lots of laughter in the room.
The Taoiseach is speaking now and is giving another version of his stateside stump speech.
Irish workers, says Martin, “even built this wonderful White House”.
The two countries have interconnected cultures and trade links, he adds – calling for Ireland and the US to continue to work together for both countries to thrive.
Yet another mention of Ronald Reagan (Reagan seems to have had more to do with the Good Friday Agreement than you’d previously had thought, given all the references he’s had today).
For the second time today, Trump has said that 50% of people who have received a medal of honour in the US are of Irish heritage. He seems genuinely blown away by this.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 12, 2025
“Amazing,” he said. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/wS9bRxSmvj
“In time honoured tradition I’m going to present the bowl of shamrock to President Trump,” Martin announced.
At which point (yep, you’ve guessed it) he presented the bowl of shamrock to President Trump.
Referencing Trump’s ownership of the Doonbeg golf resort, Martin quoted Seamus Heaney’s ‘Postscript’ as he wrapped up his speech.
You know the one … “some time make the time to drive out west … into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore”.
“Catch the heart off guard and blow it open,” the poem ends.
Inviting Trump to visit Ireland, Martin said he hoped they’d have the chance to welcome him and catch the US President’s “heart off guard”.
Kudos to whoever scripted the press release from the Government Press Office tonight for managing to skillfully work in that, yes, the shamrock was exported in line with all essential phytosanitary measures.
“In recent years, artisan craftspeople have been included in the creation of these bowls, ensuring that each presentation reflects the finest of Irish craftsmanship.
“For this year’s ceremony, the shamrock was provided by Living Shamrock, a company based in Ballinskelligs, County Kerry. The fresh shamrock was grown and harvested for export with the required phytosanitary certifications.
“The crystal bowl, presented to President Trump, was created by the House of Waterford, part of the Fiskars Group, known for its fine Irish crystal production.”
“Those feet the way they moved.”
Here’s the video of Trump’s shoutout to Flatley.
US President Donald Trump has paid tribute to Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who is at the ceremony. "Do you still dance like that or has Father Time caught up?," he asked Mr Flatley | Follow live: https://t.co/b4GHzWQ7YJ pic.twitter.com/H5KcrYcKHz
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 12, 2025
Martin said the ceremony was an “important moment to reflect upon the relationship between our two countries” in a post this evening.
The time-honoured tradition of the Shamrock Bowl ceremony is an important moment to reflect upon the relationship between our two countries.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 12, 2025
Our peoples have stood side by side for a long time.
Irish-America has been at the heart of shaping this great nation. pic.twitter.com/ITOCBpwoZs
Some shots from the ceremony, including aforementioned superhoofer…
Here’s what Martin said in his speech about Gaza, Israel and Ukraine:
“Ireland is ready to work with you and our international partners to end conflict and especially to bring just, lasting and sustainable peace to the people of Ukraine and the people of the Middle East.
“Conflict and war hurt the most vulnerable. Too many children in particular have died in Gaza, in Israel, in Sudan – and too many children have been abducted in Ukraine.
“Let us together never cease to strive for peace, prosperity and opportunity for all the world’s children.
“That would be an extraordinary achievement for the transatlantic relationship, and an extraordinary legacy for the ages.”
We’ll leave our live coverage there for tonight – today was the big one, but the Taoiseach has another busy day in Washington tomorrow.
Jane Matthews, our political correspondent, will be back later with a wrap of the day.
In the meantime, catch up with Larry Donnelly’s thoughts on how it all went for the Taoiseach in his latest column.
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