A spokesperson for the Taoiseach has responded to calls for Enda Kenny to forego this year’s annual trip to the White House for St. Patrick’s Day.
Though Taoisigh have journeyed to Washington DC on Paddy’s Day since the Clinton administration, some now believe Kenny should buck the tradition in response to Donald Trump’s aggressive actions against immigration.
According to the Irish Independent, Enda Kenny will not act on these concerns, and will make the trip “in order to maintain the historically strong links between the Irish and American peoples.”
“It is important that the Taoiseach continues to engage with the US President and his administration in Washington around the events of St. Patrick’s Day.”
Among those calling for the Taoiseach not to make the visit is Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin, who said “President Trump does not share our values. Indeed, he is openly hostile to them. He and his team have made clear that he is unwilling to hear or even listen to discordant voices.”
A petition asking the Taoiseach to forego the visit has reached over 14,000 signatures since it was posted online yesterday.
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