Independent members of government John Halligan and Finian McGrath have announced their intention to boycott any state events featuring Donald Trump.
The White House unexpectedly announced Trump’s intention to visit Ireland in November as he travels to Europe to commemorate Memorial Day.
Just as soon as the news broke, several political parties (including the Greens and Social Democrats) made clear their intention to protest the visit.
Now Halligan, who is Minister of State for Training and Skills, and Finian McGrath, Minister of State for Disability, have announced that they will not attend any state events that the American president will attend.
Speaking to Marian Finucane on Sunday Morning, Halligan outlined his problems with the controversial president.
“I think that somebody that would be so repulsive towards migrants, towards women; some of the comments he’s made towards women in his own country I think are absolutely appalling. I don’t think it fits with modern Ireland.”
“He calls women ugly, he uses words like pig, he’s said it doesn’t matter how intelligent a woman is as long as they have a nice ass. 50% of our people here in Ireland are women and we’ve fought long and hard for women’s rights here in Ireland.”
Halligan, however, clarified that he does not oppose the visit, saying that it gives the Irish people an opportunity to protest.
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