An Taoiseach’s Brexit challenge eclipses US

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar is in the USA all this week for his first official visit as the elected leader of the Irish nation. It is very important work which is always necessary to keep Ireland’s unique access to the US leaders open and viable. Around St Patrick’s Day the doors are often at least half-open to Irish callers. And it is up to our leaders in the world of politics, commerce, the arts and culture, to push open these doors and maximise all the opportunities of amicable contact.

The focus will be largely on Mr Varadkar’s first encounter with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday. There will be many talking points associated with this.

But many more Irish people will be concerned with another date Mr Varadkar has in Brussels on Thursday week at a special EU leaders’ summit. Brexit remains at the head, neck and tail of all Ireland’s economic hopes for this and the next generation.

This key summit will come in a week after which the Irish Government has been scattered across the globe taking advantage of St Patrick’s Day contact opportunities.

But everyone will trust our key officials in Roinn an Taoisigh, in the Foreign Affairs Department, in Ireland’s EU embassy in Brussels and in important embassies in other EU member states will be remaining at their desks keeping a close eye on developments.

We have seen little emerge from London to offer encouragement to hopes of a good outcome to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Yet these negotiations are building to a crucial phase and demand our closest attention. We mean no disrespect to the USA – but the Brexit problems eclipse the Taoiseach’s visit there.