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'One Irishman with another Irishman' - Taoiseach to meet Joe Biden in Washington

Mr Martin will be presented with the International Leadership Award
Sean Defoe
Sean Defoe

07.08 16 Mar 2022


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'One Irishman with another Iri...

'One Irishman with another Irishman' - Taoiseach to meet Joe Biden in Washington

Sean Defoe
Sean Defoe

07.08 16 Mar 2022


Share this article


Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet the US President Joe Biden on Wednesday night as he is presented with a leadership award in Washington, DC.

Mr Martin will be presented with the International Leadership Award for his time in public service and efforts during the pandemic.

With prices starting at US$1,000 (€910) a plate, the Ireland Funds dinner is one of the most exclusive annual events on the Taoiseach's calendar.

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This year it will raise more than US$1m for charities across the island of Ireland, with Mr Martin being honoured with a leadership award.

This year he will not be the sole guest of honour however, with US President Joe Biden attending.

It is a rare move for a President and is seen as a sign of Mr Biden's intentions to charge up the relations between Ireland and the US.

President Biden and the Taoiseach will meet at the event ahead of their bilateral meeting and the shamrock ceremony on Thursday.

Mr Martin says it is not about demanding things from the US, but adds he will be again raising issues for the undocumented Irish in America.

"Meeting President Biden is not about getting anything out of it in once sense, because it's going to be - first of all - a pleasant meeting with one Irishman with another Irishman.

"Obviously the Ukraine will be the dominant issue - and I think it will be important, the reaffirming and working through the relationship between the European Union and the United States.

"And how well that has worked in the context of this crisis".

Some worry the ship has sailed on getting a deal done with current attitudes in the United States towards immigrants, but the Taoiseach says he wants to build new, legal routes to citizenship.

Main image: Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaks at the embassy of Ireland in London, England during his St Patrick's Day visit to the UK. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

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