LABOUR LEADER Brendan Howlin has called on the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to skip this year’s St. Patrick’s Day visit, saying that such a visit would only present Ireland as “a supine supporter of Trumpism.”

He pointed out that, for decades, Irish governments had enjoyed significant access to senior US politicians in the days around St. Patrick’s Day, something which allowe them to raise issues that mattered to the country and to Irish people in the U.S.A.

He said: “That access is valuable but it is notthe only thing of value. Ireland is an open and tolerant nation. We believe that those who are experiencing violence and oppression in their home nations should be welcomed to nations that can provide them with safety and security and opportunity.”

President Donald Trump, he said, did not share the values of the Irish people, saying that instead he was openly hostile to them.

“He and his team have made clear that he is unwilling to hear, or even listen to discordant voices. In that context, the only thing a visit by the Taoiseach to the White House could achieve would be to present Ireland as a supine supporter of Trumpism.

“Such a presentation would be humiliating to the vast majority of Irish people who stand opposed to the policies being implemented by President Trump.”

He referred to the recently imposed Muslim ban, saying that if it remained in place, the Taoiseach should not be boarding a plane to Washington in March.

“And our government should be working might and main to make sure that these policies are not enforced on Irish soil.”