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THE TAOISEACH IS setting off on a three-day business trip to the US today and there are rumours circulating that a meeting with Donald Trump could possibly be on the cards.
Government spokespeople have remained tight-lipped on the subject, stating there are “no plans” for such a meeting when questioned by the Leinster House press corp.
Enda Kenny travels to San Francisco today and has a number of engagements in New York on Friday and Saturday. During that time, an opportunity to meet the President-elect could present itself in the last-minute (something a number of journalists travelling to the States are betting on).
But should a meeting be set-up? And is it a good idea for Kenny to meet Trump?
The Taoiseach did discuss a possible tête-à-tête during a telephone conversation this month, during which Trump also informed Kenny that he hopes to come back to Ireland some day.
Not everyone on Kildare Street and beyond is enamoured with the idea though.
Labour Senator Aodhán O Riordáin made his opinion on Trump quite clear in a speech in the Seanad recently, where he said:
“America has just elected a fascist and the best thing that the good people in Ireland can do is to ring him up and ask him, is it OK to still bring the shamrock on Saint Patrick’s Day?”
The video of his speech was picked up and shared around the world.
O Riordáin told TheJournal.ie this week, however, that he could understand why Kenny would meet Trump, adding: ”He is going to have to meet him at some point.”
Leadership
However, he pointed out that the thousands of undocumented Irish living in the US needed “a level of leadership shown by the government” at this time.
The senator said that if such a meeting was to take place, it was up to the Taoiseach to reaffirm the values of the Irish people with the new administration.
O Riordáin said he would not like to see any sort of fawning over Trump.
He criticised the language used by Kenny in recent tweets congratulating Trump on the election and about his conversation with vice president-elect Mike Pence.
“Body language and words matter here,” explained the Labour senator.
“What he [Enda Kenny] says and how he says it could define him for the next 50 years,” concluded O Riordáin.
Fine Gael’s Jerry Buttimer told TheJournal.ie that he did not have problem with the Taoiseach meeting Trump, stating that his party’s leader has certain obligations.
However, the senator added that Kenny also has an obligation to relay to Trump what is important to the Irish people, be it in terms of economics, trade, the undocumented Irish and human rights issues.
“We need to stand up on issues we don’t agree with him and vice president Pence on,” said Buttimer.
“We can’t go cap in hand, we have to be strong on the values we believe in.”
Visit to Facebook
During his travels, Kenny will meet with firms and key investors in Silicon Valley and will also take in a visit to Facebook headquarters.
In New York, the Taoiseach will address a number of influential business groups including the Partnership for New York City and attend a gathering hosted by Peter Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg.
He will meet a number of existing and potential investors in Ireland and attend the signing of a partnership between Enterprise Ireland and Northwell Healthcare Group.
According to his department, the Taoiseach will also engage with Irish-American political, business and community leaders at receptions in both Palo Alto and New York.
Commenting on his programme for the trip, Kenny said:
My visit to the United States is a timely opportunity to engage with key business leaders to promote Ireland and highlight our strengths as a gateway for US firms into Europe and other global markets. In all engagements I will highlight our highly skilled workforce, our competitive tax offering and our focus on innovation as well as our strong commitment to EU membership.
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O’Riordan should remember that Trump won his election unlike him
O Riordan. The guy who wanted to abolish the Seanad. Who is now a Senator. Talk about two faced!!! Is O Riordain going to forego his wages like Donald Trump? I dont think so. And if Mr Trump offered him a job he would bite his hand off….
Ó Riordáin probably needs his salary to support his family on and wouldn’t have a €3million fortune that he could live on unlike Trump.(or have the opportunity to expand that fortune by decisions he makes as a public representative).
Personally I think the both of them are publicly seeking egomaniacs.
@donal Pretty sure he was a primary school principal. He would be able to support his family on that without the senate.
After Edna’s comments I can picture him hiding behind a door asking “is it safe to come in”?
Well did he as there are re counts
Just because someone wins an election; it doesn’t mean they are right.
Ireland shouldn’t have to go cap in hand to anyone
Correct but as we are an export economy and we produce pharmaceutical products on behalf of big pharma companies in USA as well as being European Base for many tech companies we do need to diplomatically kiss ass every now and again and with trumps dangerous talk of pulling companies back to the United States we have to gently remind him he himself has business interests that are dependent on a strong Ireland.
Edna shouldn’t be allowed outside of ireland, the sniveling, groveling, little toad.
He will more likely crawl in on his hands and knees,
Kenny would meet the devil for a photo opportunity you know . Didn’t he open a chipper in Mayo before Haha
Report in the times today Enda is set for an EU Commissioner ship …
He is all excited to get hair ruffled by trump.
Doesent enda look as if he’s squirming all the time….he looks as if he about to beg like a dog…..or is it just me who feels this way
The Trump will say: Enda this is da enda da line your fired.
Now the fun begins Kenny with his big trap trying to creep under the door of the White House he will get another little tap on the head like the French Priminister gave him .
Well,endas assistant was spotted buying a few pairs of knee pads in the duty free.jez,he goes through them quick.
This is the man who condemned Donald Trump in the Dail. Don’t buy newspapers, don’t vote and throw the TV set out
Guantanamo would be to good for enda
The very nature of the trip is hat in hand – bring your business to Ireland – wink wink nod nod…
@John Flood: Nicola Sturgeon was here this week looking for investment in Scotland. It’s what leaders are supposed to do.
The problem with the lefty parties is they would think any Politician with a business background is a fascist.
Probably because they equate businessmen with fascist. They equate firing employees with the Holocaust.
Stay away from him, he will go through him for a short cut.
First question: “Have you built that wall around my golf course yet Enda” ??
Speaking of Holocaust, Trumps daughter is married to a guy whose father was a survivor of the Holocaust, and they are a big real estate owner in NY.
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