Leo in Chicago for last lap of US diplomatic offensive
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has flown to Chicago to take part in the annual St Patrick’s Day parade as his four-day diplomatic visit to the United States comes to a close.
After two days of meetings in Washington DC, he travelled to Chicago yesterday afternoon for the final leg of the trip where he met with emigrant groups.
Last night, he attended a dinner hosted by the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, after spending the afternoon meeting several emigrant support groups who receive Irish Government funding.
And today, the Taoiseach will march in the St Patrick’s Day parade after attending Mass in the Old St Patrick’s Church. It follows his two days in Washington DC where he held a number of high-level engagements, including a meeting in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump.
Mr Varadkar used this meeting as to publicly thank the US president for the support he and his administration offered in relation to the Aughinish Alumina plant case.
There was relief recently when the threat to hundreds of jobs at the Limerick plant was lifted, after US sanctions against its Russian owner were dropped.
In response, the US president said the American reporters present ‘don’t know about that’ and joked ‘they don’t know what I do for other people’. Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will join Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan for New York’s St Patrick’s Day parade.
Members of the Garda band are also in town for the event. Minister Flanagan will meet with New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, at his official residence, Gracie Mansion. He will also meet with NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and other NYPD senior officers regarding organised crime during his visit