Newstalk’s Jamie O Hara has been in the US since Friday and was at the White House for the meeting between the Taoiseach and President Trump.
Following the end of Micheál Martin's diplomatic comittments in the United States, one question remains: Was the Taoiseach’s visit to Washington a success?
The leaders had an amicable meeting ahead of the annual shamrock ceremony which is a part of the St Patrick’s Day ceremony held in the White House.
On the agenda Tuesday, were the US-Israel strikes on Iran, Ireland’s position in regards to the conflict unfolding in the region.
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Newstalk reporter Jamie O’Hara who was at the White House said the Taoiseach's visit to Washington was a success because “he was not targeted in the White House Oval Office for any great criticism.”
“The President was very complimentary to the Taoiseach, he acknowledged the historic connection between the US and Ireland and described him as “a great gentleman "", he said.
“I think it could have gotten a lot worse. And I think the fact that Iran was happening, I think that that was really taking much of Donald Trump's attention,” he added.
Social Democrat TD for Dublin Sinéad Gibney felt the Taoiseach “missed an opportunity to challenge Trump on his illegal war in Iran”.
On The Claire Byrne Show she said she “fully recognised the need for the Taoiseach to go there and represent Irish economic interests”.
“I think he did that well”, Ms Gibney said.
“But I do think you can then combine that with a challenge to somebody who has, since he retook power, invaded seven different countries and this latest war threatens to throw the world into a global recession.
“It partly also does cover economic interests to call out that kind of activity.”
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Timmy Dooley said Micheál Martin’s “first and primary responsibility is to Ireland, its people, and to continue to develop that Ireland-US relationship.”
He stressed the importance of that relationship for the economy, from a jobs perspective and from the livelihoods of Irish people.
“I think he [made Ireland’s stance on Iran] clear in a carefully and curated way.
“What Micheál Martin did very effectively was he calmed a situation that could have turned into an unnecessary brouhaha between all concerned.
“He pushed back in defence of Keir Starmer, and in relation to Europe’s and Ireland’s immigration laws.”
Main Image: Donald Trump and Micheál Martin pictured in the Oval Office.
