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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said the US President Donald Trump could visit Ireland as early as June.
Speaking to reporters in Chicago, on the second leg of his St Patrick’s Day trip to the US, Varadkar said that Trump did not tell him any specific date in which he might visit.
However, he said Trump is due to visit Europe twice in the next year – in June and December – adding that it would make sense for Trump to tag a visit to Ireland at the end of one of those trips.
He added that no firm details had been discussed with Irish officials as of yet.
Trump is expected to attend the D-day commemorations in Normandy in June and the annual NATO summit in December.
Yesterday in the Oval Office, Trump has said that he hopes to visit Ireland this year.
Describing Ireland as a special place, Trump referenced his golf resort at Doonbeg in Co Clare.
“I have a very warm spot for Doonbeg, I will tell you that. And, it’s just a great place,” he said.
The US leader made similar comments during last year’s sit down in Washington DC.
Last November, Trump was due to visit Clare and Dublin.
In September, the status of the visit was the source of much confusion with the Irish government and the White House offering different answers as to whether it would go ahead.
Some clarity was finally provided when the White House informed the Irish ambassador in the US that the November trip had been cancelled for “scheduling reasons”.
The cancellation blindsided the government, which scrambled to find details from their US counterparts as to whether the trip was postponed or cancelled.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach made international headlines when he attended a breakfast meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence with his partner, Matt Barrett.
In his speech, he said as leader of Ireland, he is judged on his political record, and not his sexual orientation.
Pence has been criticised in the past for his stance on LGBT issues. During last year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Pence extended the invite to Barrett for this year.
When asked this evening about whether Pence and Varadkar had discussed the speech, the Taoiseach said:
“We didn’t really discuss the speech but we had a good chat afterwards on different issues and I had the chance to meet him again in the White House.
“I met his brother who was recently elected to congress and his sister too.
“They are very nice people and certainly have made me feel welcome when I have been in DC. Obviously we have very different views on social policy but I think the best way to manage these things is to engage with people rather than boycotting them and that’s what I intend to do.”
Earlier today, First Lady Melania Trump tweeted out some photos from yesterday’s events, which included a photo with Trump, Varadkar and Barrett.
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Well the Potus is always welcome in Ireland no matter who it is :) but I’m sure trump will be visiting in his second term in office as well
@Chonky Racoon: I wouldn’t bet on it.
@Chonky Racoon: Obvious trolls are obvious.
@Chonky Racoon: That is the most pathetic attempt at trolling I have ever witnessed on the Journal….. Take a bow son!
@Mel Fitzpatrick: it’s not an attempt at trolling. I firmly believe that trump will see a second term.. And of course I’ll welcome the president of the most powerful country on earth to our shores.. Many countries envy our relationship and kinship with the America
@Seán Ó Briain: With the stellar work AOC is doing as leader of the Trump reelection campaign, I fear he will.
@Chonky Racoon: back to your bridge you ghoul.
@Chonky Racoon: You’re a bit mad aren’t you!
@Mel Fitzpatrick: you take the trolling cup old son
Good. Welcome to POTUS. Respect the office as they did ours.
It’s embarrassing how low our Taoiseach grovels. Full of praise for the pussie grabber and his mighty war machine
@Milk The Drones: you gonna be ok?
The embodiment of hate. Let’s say no.
If President trump come to Ireland on June will cost Irish taxpayers up to €20M crazy protection trump visit
@Brian Flavin: Could you repeat that in English please
#NotWelcome
@Orla Smith: neither are you but look there you are
@samstheman: Born in Ireland! Troll.
@Orla Smith: that’s ok dude but I’m talking about the journal. Spoofer!
Xenophobic, Racist, Conman, Porn Star Shaggers not welcome thanks.
@Billy Nomates: he is the President of the United States. We can’t be so flippant to such an Office.
Please….. No… Anyone but that monstrosity…
@Mel Fitzpatrick: If we can welcome a con artist and war criminal like Obama, the least we can do is welcome Trump!
@Jack Simpson: she only wants presidents who give off the impression of a Irish loving, Guinness drinking good guy.
I feel sorry for Trump
Ah yes our great special relationship. Its a bit like the special relationship Tony has with Arty in the Sopranos.
@Louis Jacob: special relationship comments being wheeled out again, there is no special relationship
Should the headline not read “Taoiseach fears Trump could visit Ireland as early as June”?
Great more red carpets and harp playing
He wants to come and play golf and to promote Doonbeg golf course of course (no pun intended) . We’ll probably even get to fund a Trunp statue in the town too out of it.
Whether we like it or not? :-)
So the Leo the lamb and Donald the lion are suddenly friends now.
Election in May so…
Please get him out of here. Take him for a week or two. 200,000,000 American’s will be grateful for the break!
Dropping off some of the Mexico loot he just signed for, to also build his Doonbeg wall.
Trump looks embarrassed to be beside leo
Not welcome.
Like him or loathe him, he is the elected president of America and the office should be respected. It would do us no good to have such a man as an enemy. Suck it up.
What’s the vetting this will be his second cancelled visit to Ireland? Either way, he’s more than welcome.
No body wants him her but you don’t make the Irish People foot the bill
35 comments , The ratings here are shite ! Boom
Why ?
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