St Patrick's Day trips to the United States will be “fundamental” in lobbying the US in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Tánaiste.
While Micheál Martin is heading to Canada on March 17th, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will travel to the Whitehouse to present US President Joe Biden with shamrocks – a tradition beginning in 1952.
Eight Government Ministers, Attorney General Rossa Fanning, and Seanad Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer will join him in the US.
Achieving peace
Mr Martin told Newstalk today that having open dialogue with world leaders is “absolutely essential” in achieving peace in Gaza.
“The idea of boycotting such meetings and such opportunities to meet with the president of the United States, or any other official for example, is absurd to me,” he said.
“It doesn’t advance the case of Palestinians at all.
“The point is you must keep engagement and dialogue going – that to me is fundamental.”
Palestinians look at a mosque destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)The Tánaiste said “the strife, death and destruction” in Gaza will be top of the agenda for Irish politicians travelling to the US this year.
“It is very important we engage at all levels with the United States on this,” he said.
“I was in Washington recently and met with democratic senators, republican senators, congressmen, Whitehouse officials, the National Security Council – all on the issue of Gaza.”
Special relationship
The US has a special relationship with Ireland that should be preserved, said the Tánaiste.
“We have historic links in terms of those who emigrated over generations and the Irish American diaspora is a large one, an influential one, and an important one,” he said.
“We should never be shy in acknowledging what is a very important partnership, both on that familial generation link – but also the economic link is extraordinarily strong.
“Socially and culturally too – that’s just the reality of it.
“I’ve never been one for being shy about saying Ireland and America are close friends and partners in so many ways.”
The Tánaiste said Ireland can “disagree on issues” with the US despite these links.
Ceasefire
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the conflict in Gaza will feature predominantly on her visit to New York for St Patrick’s Day.
“It gives all of us an opportunity to reiterate the clear message that Ireland has been making, that there should be an immediate ceasefire, and that all hostages should be released," she told Newstalk.
“There should also be safe, sustained, secure, humanitarian aid brought into Gaza and particularly to Rafah, considering the dire situation there.
“These trips give us an opportunity to use our voice to bring about these very clear needs.”
Some 38 Government and Oireachtas representatives from Ireland will be travelling overseas for engagements on March 17 this year.
Main image: Taoiseach Micheál Martin is seen in Brussels, Belgium in February 2022. Picture by: European Union
