Taoiseach accuses Sinn Féin of 'engaging in politics' when it comes to White House visit

Olivia Kelleher

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused Sinn Féin of “doing what it always does” and engaging in politics after the party indicated that they plan not to travel to the US on St Patrick’s Day in protest at the foreign policies of President Donald Trump.

Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin said it was important to retain strong ties with the US.

"First of all, Sinn Féin does what it always does - it engages in politics. I have a responsibility to the country. Indeed, earlier this week we had a meeting with our European colleagues convened by President Macron with Canada, with Norway and with Iceland.

"The very clear message there was the need - not only to continue with - but to double-down on engagement with the US istration both politically and with the President.

"I think that is very important because, first of all, the economic relationship between Europe and the US - and between Ireland and the US - is an extremely important one. It is a very robust one.

"Many Irish companies create thousands of jobs in the US. Many US companies create thousands of jobs in Ireland - it is a two-way street but it is a very significant relationship."

Mr Martin also spoke of his obligation “to protect the livelihoods of many, many people” in this country.

“And engage and discuss and profile the level of Irish investment in the US - companies like Ryanair who buy very significantly from Boeing, the Kerry Group, Smurfit-Westrock, Glanbia to name just a few though there are many, many other small-to-medium sized companies which have established operations in the US.

"From an Irish perspective, open and free trade is the optimum objective because it helps us to grow our economy - we are a small, open economy."

He added that it was vitally important to engage with the US about Ukraine.

"Then in of Ukraine - the meeting we had this week - it was in that context that the need for engagement with the US was underlined.

"It was a productive meeting yesterday with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and the US envoy Keith Kellogg - and there will be further engagement between the EU leaders and the US in respect of the unfolding situation in Ukraine.

"Also the Middle East and how we see the peace process emerging there. We need a consolidation of the (Gaza) ceasefire, we need a massive surge in humanitarian aid- into Gaza and we need to create a political pathway to a two State solution.

"That is the Irish view on that issue.

"You do not get a specific sort of invitation - these things are worked out...officials in the embassy and White House officials," he said.