Trump visit ‘not my worst nightmare’, says Varadkar
A VISIT by US President Donald Trump to Ireland would not be the Government’s “worst nightmare”, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.
The invitation – issued to the president last St Patrick’s Day – still stands and it is up to the White House to decide if it wants to take it up.
While there was considerable disquiet within Government when former Taoiseach Enda Kenny told Mr Trump he would be welcome in Dublin, Mr Varadkar indicated he would facilitate such a visit.
“His invitation still stands, absolutely, but no plans or preparations are being made for that,” Mr Varadkar said.
Asked whether he would fear such a visit, he replied: “It would not be my worst nightmare. I can guarantee you there are much more serious things that could befall Ireland than the visit of any individual.”
Mr Trump has previously committed to making a trip to the United Kingdom next year which would present an opportunity for a stopover in Ireland. However, that appears unlikely before Mr Varadkar makes the traditional St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington in March.
The Taoiseach said he would not shy away from raising issues such as the death penalty with Mr Trump, who made repeated calls for the suspect in the New York truck attack to be put to death.
Asked if he would be prepared to ‘call out’ Mr Trump, Mr Varadkar said the relationship between Ireland and the US was “much stronger than any particular administration or president of the United States”.