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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has handed a bowl of shamrock to US president Donald Trump keeping up the strong annual tradition between the two countries.
Both men gave speeches touting the important historic ties between the two Ireland and the US going back generations ahead of the annul St Patrick’s Day tradition.
Varadkar trumpeted Ireland’s long-standing relationship with the US and mentioned the plight of undocumented Irish in America and the strong trade between both countries in his speech at the White House today.
Trump, for his part, said that he “loved the Irish” and talked about the strong influence the Irish have had on the US over the years.
“It’s my great honour to receive this magnificent bowl of Ireland’s great shamrocks,” Trump said.
He said that the Irish were people “full of love, warmth, grit and resolve” and that it was “closely woven into our own”.
Trump talked about the “shared bonds” both countries and of how eight of the US founding fathers had Irish heritage.
“The US has truly been blessed with the luck of the Irish to have you with us today,” said Trump.
He said Varadkar would likely be back for the next seven years. Seven years is the term of the presidency in Ireland, while the term of a government (and therefore the Taoiseach) is maximum five years.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterTaoiseach hands bowl of shamrock to Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/6nTNf9lyGv
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 15, 2018
Varadkar’s speech
In his own speech after Trump, Varadkar referenced past presidents and the relationship between both countries that stretched back centuries.
“The portrait of your first President, George Washington, looks down on us here in the East Room. President Washington called Ireland the ‘friend of my country in my country’s most friendless days’,” Varadkar said.
We supported the cause of American freedom from the very start – we shed our blood to help make it a reality.
Varadkar said that in the same was, the US had “helped build modern Ireland”.
“One that is prosperous and at peace, self-confident about our place in the world, no longer an island on the periphery of Europe, but an island at the centre of the world,” he said.
Varadkar also referenced Abraham Lincoln – “the first Republican president” – and the American poet Walt Whitman.
Diaspora
He went on the mention the many Irish people who have emigrated to the US throughout the years, as well as the Irish Diaspora.
“Today the Irish Diaspora is found in every state, every city, every neighbourhood in this country,” Varadkar said.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterDonald Trump mentions that Varadkar is going to be taking part in a very important parade in NY pic.twitter.com/tjsmdFYxv8
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 15, 2018
“We have prospered in politics, in business, in the arts, and in the service of fellow Americans. Many are here today.
Many Irish serve today in The White House.
Varadkar also mentioned the many undocumented Irish living in the US and the hopes that some sort of agreement could be reached for them.
“I know that the Irish people who have made their lives here, including those who are undocumented and living in the shadows, love this country dearly,” said Varadkar.
“They have the same dream as the men and women who inspired Washington, fought for Lincoln, and work alongside you today.
They want to continue to contribute to the life of this great country, and continue to play their part. Their dream will never die.
He said that the Irish government would “continue to work with your Administration to find a solution to this important issue”.
He also said Ireland was “willing to match any move with the same or better for Americans in Ireland”.
“The best relationship between two countries is a fair transaction, with something given and received on both sides.
A good deal – you might say.
Business
Varadkar said that Ireland could “act as a bridge between this great country and the European Union”.
“And, more than ever, we are a strong and effective partner for you,” he said.
He said how the economic relationship between both countries was “a two-way street”.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterView of the White House residence. Shamrock ceremony starting soon pic.twitter.com/AwaFgY2Qlw
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 15, 2018
“Irish firms employ more than 100,000 people here across all 50 states,” he said.
“Since you took office, Mr President, 59 Irish companies have made new investments in this country. We are bringing jobs, good jobs.
“Each and every week we trade $2 billion in goods and services back and forth across the Atlantic. We want that to grow.”
He then presented the bowl of shamrocks to Trump.
With reporting from Christina Finn at the White House
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We had a few people over from America meeting a few of our work colleagues in Cork, the visitors had already arrived in Cork City the night before before the meeting. One of the visitors was black and when they met with our colleagues the group of three were not in great form. They didn’t have to be asked what was wrong as they came straight out and said they have been all over the world and have never been subjected to the racial abuse they received in Cork. Our people were a bit surprised and asked for some example of what happened them. The black person gave one example and said they were in a bar the night before and when he looked for drinks the barman said “what do you want, boy”. This little Corkism was enough to cause upset and after a bust of laughter all was explained and peace restored.
I remember I use to be an open minded non-racist…but then I moved to London, it’s funny how re-location can alter your opinions…for example I’m not fond of Nigerians and just so happens their black, does that make me racist? I think they’ve a bad and or aggressive attitude maybe due to their strict upbringing (not all)….the debates very VERY long!!!! Why should we have to like other countries when we against everything they stand for…why should we just accept? I’m not in anyway neo nazi and I’m totally against EDL!!! It’s all about the right approach.
Ben
When you generalise and attribute characteristics to a group of people who come from a particular country or region,
That, my friend, is racism
did’nt our Gov do that with the travellers??!!!
Well…guess I’m a racist then cause I don’t particularly like Australia’s either for minor reasons…(1) their loud (2) drunkards and (3) annoying accents, hope I can sleep tonight.
Well, xenophobia :p
No Dave, it is not racist to generalise, that is the most idiotic idea to ever come from as human. The fact is some cultures are not compatible, it has nothing to do with race and everything to do with culture and societal norms. What is normal behaviour for a Nigerian may not be normal for an Irish person and vice versa, recognising this difference is not racism. The fact is culture is a generalist attribute of nations, this can not be denied it is a fact. So go educate yourself before you call people racist you absolute tool.
Dave
I’m an Italian man living here few years, and a part from some smart comments like ” spaghetti, la mamma” etc.. I can say that Irish are just not racists.
In support to Ben it is strange how the vision about the black can be altered here in Ireland.
That happened to myself I must admit. And keep in mind that back home I was ready to go and volunteer for a project in Burkina Faso.
But when it comes to Nigerians we are naturally thinking at a possible scam. Also most of their approach in terms of manners it come across like rude and sometimes aggressive.
Having say that, the new generations are getting integrated into the culture and maybe in 20 years time we will drinking pints with them in the pub and the culture difference will disappear.
But at the moment there is a difference and is just not compatible. Except of course for those very few cases where they accept this culture and traditions.
If you want to call me racist you’re more than welcome but this is what it is.
Gianni
Well said Gianni, pay no attention to the idiots calling everyone ‘racist’ that is the oldest trick in the book to stifle or prevent debate on the subject. When these half wits call people racist it just demonstrates that they have no argument.
Tom this is the oxford dictionary of racism – I’d say that’s educating enough….Definition of racism in English
racism
Pronunciation: /ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m/
Translate racism | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
noun
[mass noun]
the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races:
theories of racism
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior:
a programme to combat racism
Dave, I don’t need you to Google the word racism in order define it for me, I’m well aware of its definition. Still, my point stands, it is not racist to generalise based on cultural norms, it is racist to generalise based on colour of skin or race alone. Do ya get it now?
There is nothing racist about recognising that some cultures clash with western or Irish ideals and norms. It is a fact.
But Ben, they can spell.
Forgot to mention the cultural thing in my post..but your 100% right with comparability.
Fantastic point Gianni say it how it is.
* you’re
Ben
Two small stories about Nigerians.
First: a Nigerian woman was parking on Dawson Street at 4.00pm so I explained to her about the clearway system. She looked straight through me and walked off, leaving her car on the clearway.
A taxi ride from Dublin Airport. The taxi driver (Nigerian) and I spent the journey setting Ireland’s problems to rights and roundly condemning the useless politicians in Leinster House.
Two sides of the same Nigerian coin.
Some are Ben , some are not
Know all Australians now do you
That’s petty in my opinion, I hate grammar nazi’s..I am fully aware of the their, there and there’re differences! I just wrote as I thought….! Ya clown.
Haha good man Dave biting…Jesus I was being vague with my opinions…I like nice people in all aspects of life, be it Australians, Nigerians, Dubs etc etc.
Ben all your doing is making a fool of yourself
The fourth article on The Journal about racism and immigrants rights in the space of a week, what the hell is going on? Is the Journal trying to push an agenda or is it a personal crusade by the editor of The Journal? Why did you delete this comment? Is censorship the norm for The Journal now? Losing all credibility fast.
Dave, we all know what racism means at this stage. History in different countries, tragic events and being actual the recent death of a great man and his fight against apartheid.
But believe me this just a culture difference clash, two extremes trying to find a middle way.
It all goes down to get the time to be fully integrated with the culture…but this a “new” phenomenon for Ireland and I’m sure that eventually the difference will be smoother and smoother until it disappears.
Please give us a deal of adjustments and stop using the word Racism so easily.
An Italian
But you’re judging a whole countries people on the few that you have met, or heard about.
Do you know all the people you comment on? Have you done exhaustive studies to back up your wild generalisations?
Everybody is different
The only thing you can generalise about is people who generalise are idiots
Dave,
You have to be able to look at the bigger picture. No offence but you sound to me the antiracism knight more than an open minded person that is capable to see things from above.
Culture differences are a fact! Hope you agree with me.
Of course there are cases of nice people despite of their nationalities. But we’re talking about characteristics that identify people, their customs and traditions that are linked to their country.
I’ve been in Nigeria myself and let me tell you…..you wouldn’t go around Lagos screaming I’m not racist!
As European we have an history of colonies, crusades etc. etc….
But the integration of such an extreme culture difference takes time.
Example: you can take a Nigerian in London working for a bank in canary wolf and we wouldn’t have this conversation.
Again Dave….culture differences are a fact and it takes time to adjust them specially when they are so far from each other.
On a funny side if this difference wouldn’t exist we would probably be eating spaghetti or tapas instead of drinking cold pints around “traditional” Irish pubs!
Don’t call this being racist mate!
If you use generalised prejudices to make statements about anybody based on where they are from,
You
Are
Racist
have your say