Mr. Trump, then a private citizen, being greeted by Minister Michael Noonan at Shannon Airport in May, 2014. Photo by Sean Curtin.
By Evan Short
Irish politicians traveling to the White House for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations has never been a controversial issue – until now.
With the election of President Trump and the fall-out from his travel ban on some Muslim countries, politicians in Ireland are finding themselves coming under increasing pressure to dodge this year’s event.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has also said that he will attend the White House celebration.
And Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, has maintained that he will be going to the White House this March 17, if invited. (See story opposite page).
“I’ll be there, if the negotiations (after the Assembly election) allow me, to engage with Irish America, with our friends in Capitol Hill, with the undocumented Irish,” Adams said.
“I haven’t been invited to the White House. If I am invited, of course I would go.”
The SDLP has accused Adams of hypocrisy.
The party’s Clare Hanna said: “There is no doubt that party representatives will join in condemning Trump’s actions, but they should be asking the Sinn Féin president whether he prioritizes principles and solidarity with those at risk because of Trump, or Sinn Féin’s fundraising machine,” Hanna said.
Meanwhile, the idea of an invitation being extended to Mr. Trump to visit Ireland has also sparked controversy.
An invitation written by the former Northern Ireland First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness to Trump to travel to Northern Ireland, written in the wake of his shock presidential victory, has been rescinded by Sinn Féin’s new leader in the North, Michelle O’Neill, this on the grounds of Mr. Trump’s policies since coming into office.
Meanwhile, two Irish government ministers have taken opposing views on inviting President Trump to the Republic.
Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar said: “An invite will be the taoiseach’s decision. I wouldn’t invite him.”
However, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said the timing would be important.
“I think he [the taoiseach] should invite him at some stage, but I think an early visit might be controversial,” Noonan.
Mr. Trump last visited Ireland in May, 2014 when he inspected his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.
