TAOISEACH Micheal Martin will kick off his St Patrick’s week charm offensive in the US with a trip to Texas today.
The Fianna Fail leader’s official visit to America takes place from March 10-14 and he’ll begin the journey in the city of Austin, meeting Texas Governor Greg Abbott and dropping in on the HQ of Dell in the area.
The country’s leader will take part in a series of political, economic and Irish community engagements before taking in the South by Southwest festival, meeting Enterprise Ireland client companies, opening a Screen Ireland event and attending a Pop-Up Gaeltacht.
That evening, the Taoiseach will speak at the Consulate General’s St Patrick’s Day reception taking place in Ireland House at SXSW.
Tomorrow, Micheal Martin will visit the Texas State Legislature before travelling to Washington DC for the Embassy of Ireland annual St Patrick’s Day reception in the evening.
Mr Martin will then meet US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, with the White House St Patrick’s Day reception, including the traditional shamrock gifting ceremony, taking place on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, the Taoiseach will host a working breakfast with members of the newly-established Strategic Economic Advisory Panel.
He’ll then speak at a series of events hosted by Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the US Chamber of Commerce, meeting senior US and Irish executives to explore how the Ireland-US two-way trade and investment partnership can help create more jobs and growth in both countries.
He will also present Research Ireland’s St Patrick’s Medals to Prof Richard Kearney for his academic achievements in field of philosophy and to Mr Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer.
On Thursday evening, Mr Martin will attend the Ireland Funds National Gala, before visiting the HQ of Hanley Energy on Friday.
The Taoiseach will also meet with high-level representatives of the US Jewish community to discuss the rise of global antisemitism and actions by Ireland to combat antisemitism, both at home and internationally.
Speaking in advance of his visit, the Taoiseach said: “My visit will aim to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries with a focus on economic, political and people-to-people connections.
“It is the people-to-people connections and our diaspora in the US that is the engine that drives the relationship between Ireland and the US.
“Many of the events in Austin and Washington DC will be an opportunity to recognise their invaluable contribution both to the US across the fields of innovation, creativity, community development, business, and academia, and to deepening the close bonds across the Atlantic.
“My visit is also an opportunity to highlight our strong and growing trade and investment relationship, a relationship that is increasingly two-way.
“Ireland is the 6th largest source of foreign direct investment in the US, supporting hundreds and thousands of jobs across the US.
“This substantial investment underscores the commitment of Irish enterprises to the US market and reflects a deepening economic interdependence between the two countries.
“I look forward to engaging with Irish and US companies working to grow this mutually beneficial relationship.”
ENDING CONFLICTS AND SECURE PEACE
Mr Martin also plans on discussing the situation in Northern Ireland and the desire to end conflicts and secure peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.
“I am delighted to be meeting with President Trump and to have an opportunity to reflect with him on the bilateral relationship. President Trump knows Ireland well, having visited on a number of occasions and I know that his beautiful golf club in Doonbeg is very close to his heart.
“I will update him on the situation in Northern Ireland and express our deep appreciation to the US for their continued support for peace and reconciliation on our island.
“My visit to the US comes at a moment of great peril for the world. The US remains an indispensable partner and global actor.
“I look forward to discussing with President Trump how Ireland, together with our EU partners, can work with him and his administration to end conflict and to secure peace, whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine.”
