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Trump may visit Ireland as soon as June

US President Donald Trump could visit Ireland as early as June. President Trump told reporters on...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

11.06 16 Mar 2019


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Trump may visit Ireland as soo...

Trump may visit Ireland as soon as June

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

11.06 16 Mar 2019


Share this article


US President Donald Trump could visit Ireland as early as June.

President Trump told reporters on Thursday he intends to visit Ireland at some stage this year.

Last night, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it is likely he will visit here as part of one of two previously planned trips to Europe.

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President Trump is due to visit France for the D-Day anniversary on June 6th and London for the NATO Summit in December.

Irish visit

Mr Varadkar said the details still have to be ironed out.

“He is going to travel to Europe both for the D-Day anniversary and for the NATO anniversary so it is possible he will make the trip to Ireland before or after one of those,” he said. “But it is still early days yet.”

“No firm dates have been discussed or agreed but he does intend to travel to Europe at least twice between now and the end of the year.

“It being added on to one of those visits would be the most likely thing.”

The Taoiseach’s St Patrick’s Day US Tour will come to a close today after he takes a cruise down the Chicago River – died its traditional bright green in honour of the festival.

This morning, he will attend a mass at St Patrick’s Church before marching in the city’s world-famous St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Immigration

Speaking to reporters last night, he said immigration has been front and centre in many of his engagements throughout the week.

The Government is confident the US E3 Visa Programme – currently only available to Australians – will soon be made available to Irish people.

The scheme allows some 10,500 people to legally work in the US every year.

Leo Varadkar Trump Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at the Irish Fellowship Club Annual SPD Dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Chicago, 16-03-2019. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

Mr Varadkar also said the Irish Government will continue to fund organisations in the States that are working with Irish citizens facing Visa issues.

“As you can imagine immigration has been an issue in almost all of the community meetings and political meetings that I have had while I am here,” he said.

“Obviously we are working on the E3 Visa issue – we think that is deliverable and doable.

“However, that won’t solve the undocumented problem. For those that have been here for a long time as undocumented that is probably going to require more comprehensive immigration reform.”


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