Taoiseach should reconsider inviting Trump to Ireland

08 November 2017

On the one year anniversary of the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, Labour Party Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on the Taoiseach to reconsider inviting President Trump to Ireland.

It comes as figures by Amárach Research show that 78% of Irish people surveyed earlier this week said their view on America has changed for the worse in the last year.

Senator Ó Ríordáin said:

“While in the US last week, Taoiseach Varadkar said the invitation to President Trump to visit Ireland still stands. Trump’s values are not our values, and there should be no welcome mat laid out for a man of his world-view.

“President Trump’s tenure has been defined by unprecedented levels of vindictive, racist, xenophobic and extremist rhetoric and actions.

“Why should President Trump be invited with open arms to Ireland when so many of his actions are against what we stand for as a nation? His ‘Travel Ban’, his assault on Obamacare, his Transgender Ban in the military, his pandering to white supremacists, his withdrawal from the Paris Accord, his preposterous tax plan, his bizarre posturing with North Korea. The list is endless when trying to give an assessment on one of the most depressing years in modern American political history.

“Tonight in Liberty Hall, we are taking an Irish Stand to celebrate our Irish values which are not compatible with those of Donald Trump. As he surrounds himself with Irish-Americans, it is important that we take a stand against him and what he represents.

“When questioned on the possibility of inviting President Trump to Ireland in February, Mr Varadkar said he wasn’t sure “what purpose it would serve”. It is disappointing to see now the Taoiseach going back on his original stance on inviting President Trump.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

‘Irish Stand’ was established as a grassroots campaign following Senator Ó Ríordáin viral speech regarding Donald Trump in the wake of the US Presidential Election.

On St Patrick’s Day earlier this year in New York, ‘Irish Stand’ attracted 1,500 people to a rally in the Riverside Church and raised over $20,000 for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Tonight, ‘Irish Stand’ will take to the stage in Liberty Hall Theatre, featuring performers such as Frances Black, Panti Bliss and David O’Doherty, as well as a host of international speakers, including Dr Terry McGovern, who is determined that her mother’s killing in New York on 9-11 will not be used as rallying cry for hate.

All proceeds go to the Irish Refugee Council’s work with young people in direct provision.

The ticket price is the weekly rate for an adult in Direct Provision.

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