Kenny shrugs off Howlin call on Trump

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has shrugged off calls, led by Labour leader Brendan Howlin, for him to cancel his proposed White House visit on St Patrick’s Day in protest at US President Donald Trump’s travel bans on seven Moslem majority countries.

‘If the Taoiseach arrives in Washington it will be seen as giving credence and support to a policy platform that is anathema to the vast bulk of Irish people,’ said Mr Howlin.

‘Enda Kenny 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,’ he said, ‘President Trump does not share our values. Indeed he is openly hostile to them.’

However, a statement released by the Taoiseach’s spokesman said that in order to maintain the historically strong links between the Irish and American peoples it is important that he continues to engage with the US President and his administration in Washington around the St Patrick’s Day events.

‘Doing so allows the Taoiseach to outline, in person, his Government’s views on a range of issues, including business and economic ties, immigration and other matters of common interest.

The Wexford depuity said that while he values the links between Ireland and America, Trump’s actions and views are completely contrary to those of the vast majority of Irish people.

‘(Trump) doesn’t allow any criticism, as we’ve seen. Therefore there’s no point going and even arguing with him,’ Mr Howlin.

Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International Ireland meanwhile said Mr Kenny should make use of the visit to make clear in public and private statements to the US administration that Ireland believes this is a grave breach of international human rights law for the US to conduct itself in this way.