Pat Kenny is joined by Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats to discuss the Taoiseach's visit to Washington.
Leader of the Social Democrats Holly Cairns, has said it was important for Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s to attend the Shamrock ceremony at the White House last week but that his comments completely opposed Irish views on the war in Iran and were "beyond belief".
“He said that Trump was doing his bit for peace in the Middle East when he started a war”, she told the Pat Kenny Show.
She said the Taoiseach’s comments during his meeting with President Trump during the Shamrock ceremony in Washington DC were “just beyond belief”.
“It was outrageous to say that Trump was doing his bit for peace in the Middle East when we know that Trump has quite literally just started a war in the Middle East.
“The Taoiseach did not use that opportunity to speak up for international law.”
Cairns reiterated she did not believe the Taoiseach should have a screaming match with the President but that he could have stood up for international law and peace.
“He didn't even correct Trump when he called our president a man”, she added.
“I think we've seen from other leaders that it is possible to go over and to stand up for Trump.
“When you consider Ireland's unique position, being a neutral country, not being a NATO, it was important for him to use his voice.
“He should have gone further.”
She explained that European leaders should stand together and stand up to the Trump administration and that Ireland should be a leading voice in that because of their unique position.
“Micheál Martin should stand up for international law”, she told Newstalk.
“The problem with the Taoiseach's visit is that he literally did the opposite.
“He said that Trump was doing his bit for peace in the Middle East. You couldn't make it up. The president of America has just started a war in the Middle East.
“It's incumbent on the Taoiseach to represent the views of the Irish people. And there's a very strong view held by the Irish people.”
Micheál Martin meets Donald Trump yelling. The Social Democrats leader said that while Martin may have tried to keep Ireland on America’s side, the country was not immune to ongoing events.
“We've seen oil prices, gas prices, petrol and diesel prices spiking.
“Standing up for Ireland means standing up for international law, because of course that affects Ireland and it affects every country.”
Main Image: Holly Cairns with Pat Kenny.
