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Updated 11.30pm
- With reporting from Christina Finn in Washington D.C.
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has met with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in the White House.
As the pair shook hands and posed for photographs following a private meeting, Trump confirmed to reporters that he intends to visit Ireland.
“I really love Ireland, I’ll be there absolutely,” Trump said in response to a question.
Kenny later confirmed that Trump agreed to come to Ireland after he extended an invite to the US President.
“We had a good, friendly and constructive engagement,” Kenny told reporters in the White House lawn after the photocall.
“The president also referred to hospitality and is very well acquainted with the golf courses of Ireland.”
And finally, I said in Ireland invitations are always returned and returned in kind. And so during the course of his presidency of the United States I’ve asked him to come to Ireland and he hopes to do that some time during the course of his presidency.
During the Oval Office photocall, a number of other reporters then attempted to ask questions of the pair but a White House staffer attempted to end the interaction by repeating the phrase: “Thank you press”.
One Irish reporter then asked whether Kenny’s previous comments about Trump’s language being “racist and dangerous” was raised during their meeting.
There was no response to the query.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterLook at that handshake pic.twitter.com/pCelrndcqi
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 16, 2017
Briefing reporters about their meeting, Kenny said the pair discussed a range of issues including Brexit, the Irish economy and immigration.
“The president asked a number of questions about what the hard border meant in the past and I pointed out to him about customs posts and the sectarian violence that came with it,” Kenny said.
“I also spoke to him about the difficulties Brexit would have for Ireland and for Northern Ireland and I pointed out the economic indicators that show we’d be the most adversely affected.”
President Trump asked quite a number of questions about the Irish economy, the drop in unemployment the rise in employment, the improvement in our growth rates. He was very complementary to the people of Ireland for having had the courage to make those decisions and make the many sacrifices they have made over the past number of years.
Christina Finn / TwitterDonald Trump says Enda Kenny is 'his new friend' pic.twitter.com/oDfkYkf2gf
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 16, 2017
Undocumented
“I also spoke to him about immigration, and it’s important to make particular note of this here, of the fact that the president is interested in this and we had a very beneficial, constructive discussion about this,” Kenny said.
For those who are undocumented, among them many millions who are in America who are undocumented . The president was actually surprised at the figure, I think he might have thought it would be a higher figure.I would say to Irish people who are undocumented, that if there are small issues like parking fines or traffic lights or whatever, they should clear those up through legal people whether they be in any city. And that’s an issue which can lift the fear, concern and anxiety that any Irish people may have.
Kenny also said that he told Trump that Ireland would always be a “friend of America”.
Ireland will always be a friend of America, the European Union will always be a friend of America and that cooperation between these two most developed economic regions of the planet will be for the mutual benefit of millions of people in Europe and the United States.
At another gathering following the meeting, Trump then recited what he said was a proverb.
“As we stand together with our Irish friends, I’m reminded of that proverb and this is one I like, this is a good one, this is one I’ve heard for many years and I love it,” he said.
Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue, but never forget to remember those that have stuck by you.
“We know that, politically speaking we know that,” Trump added.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterTrump says 'great people, great people' about Fionnuala and Enda Kenny pic.twitter.com/XFi4gKaiof
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 16, 2017
Shamrock Ceremony
Christina Finn / TwitterTrump says the Irish have the name 'the fighting Irish for a reason' - a people who enriched America pic.twitter.com/0qTp4cCxvm
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 16, 2017
Later this evening, the pair met in the White House for the traditional exchange of a bowl of shamrock.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny he wanted to sincerely thank President Trump “for so graciously continuing this great tradition of hospitality which means so much to us all”.
I am proud to have the opportunity to contribute to maintaining and developing relations between Ireland and the United States, particularly at the beginning of a new era in our relationship following your election, Mr. President.
Let me congratulate you and wish you the very best as you begin your term of office. The job is exceptionally demanding and difficult. The United States remains the most influential, as well as, the most powerful country in the world. You hold the hopes and future of America, and indeed the world, in your hands.
I want to thank the President for giving so much of his time to this visit. We had an excellent meeting this morning in the Oval Office where we discussed a variety of important issues of mutual concern. I want to assure you of our commitment to working closely with you and your administration as you face the many challenges ahead.
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 16, 2017Christina Finn / Twitter
Trump told the East Room of the White House that America is “an always loyal friend” to Ireland.
The US president said the Irish people have enriched America in inexplicable ways and they always will.
Referring to Ireland as America’s “faithful partner” and “loyal friend” he said the US “will always be there for you”.
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Hope everyone has a great day, would’ve loved to have been able to go. Stay safe
Who’d have known you wouldn’t be allowed bring a Trident into slane good job I seen this, best leave it at home so
@Jamie:
No Light Sabers either, that’s may force me not to attend. Although, I can do the Jedi mind trick…..
@John Smith: I’d rather get hit wit a child’s toy than a trident to the head
@Jamie:
The Light Saber is no childs toy, it is only given to those who are one with the force. Well, that and the Dark Side, but those guys are dodge.
No mention of bombs there I see.
@Ian Moloney: You can bring bombs but not light sabres seemingly
Tridents? No one can bring an ageing nuclear submarine.. that’s reassuring.
@Fergal Barry: T
@Crocodylus Pontifex: Trident is the missile system on the Vanguard class submarine. I think it’s a fair restriction.
No backpacks or food ! It’s going to take hours to get in and out. When it rains you won’t have your waterproof cloths in your backpack. It’s going to be a long hungry day.
@Martin Sinnott: wear your waterproofs or get wet. Buy food. Crazy thinking i know. In light of recent events no backpacks is a small concession for security. The reason its such a list is that people think that the rules dont apply to them. They only have their bags etc and they’re grand. Then these are the people who delay everyone else unnceessarily arguing with stewards and gardai about access.
@filthypete:
It’s not a small concession though, no backpacks is ludicrous. Are we coming to a time where we are not allowed to transport our items in the most easy of ways? They can get 70,000 people into Electric Picnic with bags, tents, alcohol, etc, so a backpack should be zero problem. They say they have 25 years experience in doing this, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
@John Smith: In order to protect your freedom we must first remove it….
@John Smith: there’s wasn’t a bombing the week before EP. This bombing happened at a concert and was consealed in a backpack. And you wonder why there not allowed
@Martin Sinnott: hand bags are allowed, so carry a large shoulder bag…
@Michael Hayden:
So what? There have been numerous traffic accidents in the last week, do we now ban cars from traveling to it? There was a fella stabbed a while ago by a guy that carried a knife in his pocket. Do we ban pockets? The bombing didn’t even happen in this country. It’s utter nonsense and not a world we should want to inhabit. Banning bags, it’s nuts.
No lightsabers?
@George Roche: #boycottslane
@George Roche: tridents are also a big no no.
Most of the recent terror attacks have been on the 22 of the month. U2 will be playing here on July the 22. Might be total nonsense, but worth keeping in mind.
@Ladude: There’s no pattern. Stockholm was the 7th of April, the Nice attack was the 14th of July, the Bataclan attack was the 13th of November. I saw that 22nd claim before, but it’s selective to say the very least.
@Niall Martin: look not saying there is, but it’s something to keep on mind for sure man.
@Ladude: Hey Frank….is that the new you?
@Ladude: @Ian , I have done my own extensive research into these attacks and have realized that they all occur on days ending in a Y , just saying .
@Paul Furey: Paul its not Frank, and by the way if you think that blowing ones self up is crazy, making up dates that relate to passages in the qoran, and blowing your self up on that date is not that nuts.
@Ken Hayden: Haha think your on to something, look I really just want every one to be safe. I know it’s a little out there, but just trying to make sense of it and try and see if there is a pattern.
@Ladude: there’s not. Guess what, there are more than 31 passages in that book so every date is significant
@Ken Hayden: Every day will end in Y so that’s irrelevant.
@Ladude:
“Most of the recent terror attacks have been on the 22 of the month.”
No, they haven’t. Why are you lying?
Best Slane concert ever was Red Hot Chili peppers in 2003, with one of the best bassist at the time, the best guitarist since Jimi Hendrix, and that beautiful Californication intro….oh it was a magical night
@Negan: Jimmy Page was there?! Damn I should’ve went.
@Negan: agreed fantastic concert. I got complimentary tickets from Lord Henry mount Charles because I had gotten a petition together with thousands of names wanting rhcp to play. I was on 2fm with dave fanning about it. Oh how embarrassing when I look back at the neck of me. Good times though
@Matty Kineven: Jimmy Page, lol. Useless sloppy & overrated.
@Negan: Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and PJ Harvey as warm-up acts too. Wish I was 10 years older so I could’ve gone to that!
@Conor Hall: Who’s the best guitarist since Hendrix then, in your opinion? The Edge? *snicker snicker
@Matty Kineven: Greg Howe or Scott Henderson.
@Conor Hall: Greg Howe is a legend alright. More of a Jimmy Page and Mark Knopfler fan myself though. Each to their own I guess.
@Matty Kineven: John Frusciante God himself :)
@Negan: I’m a musical polytheist so I believe there are many gods. Mr. Frusciante is on the list :-) I actually was at that gig. They were phenomenal.
@Negan: Was at Slane 2003.. chilli peppers were pretty brutal (and later the same year in landsdone too)
I am Neptune, God of the Sea. My mate Luke and I are very annoyed that we can’t bring our toys with us. See you in court lord henry
I got an email from MCD and they said that small backpacks would be allowed.
@Vinny O’Shaughnessy: really? I got one this morning but it didn’t say that.
@Conor Hall: I sent them an email for clarification, and this is the response I got:
Many thanks for your email. We do understand your request and can advise therefore that small bags and small back packs will be permitted but we advise to bring as little as possible with you to the event because it makes searching at entrances quicker and easier.
@Jeff Jefferson: cool thanks.
I assume shoulder/record bags are okay either way? I’m just worried some mongo garda will try to say it’s a backpack.
Ah sure it’s a great day for it too
So can you bring a normal shoulder bag? It just says no waistbags or backpacks.
Rules are unclear and inconsistent – I’ve seen 1 version where it says no bottles, and another that says bottles of water are allowed 500ml and under but they’ll take the lids.
WTF?
Who would waste a bomb on that lot…
Wonder did they play “Crest of a wave” …nice that Slash always credits Rory on every visit :)
No Tridents? The only tridents I know is to do with nukes lol.
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