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Taoiseach travels to Washington for a series of engagements

Taoiseach travels to Washington for a series of engagements

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will today travel to Washington DC for a series of engagements as part of the annual St Patrick’s Day programme. 

This evening, the Taoiseach will give a keynote speech at an event hosted by the Ireland Funds. Tomorrow, the Taoiseach will take part in the traditional St. Patrick’s Day events in Washington DC. 

He will be hosted for breakfast by Vice President Pence, followed by a bilateral meeting with President Trump at the White House. He will then join senior members of Congress, for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Lunch hosted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 

Speaking in advance of his departure the Taoiseach said:

The annual St Patrick’s Day events in Washington DC are a valuable opportunity for Ireland. I will use my meetings with President Trump and other senior US politicians to emphasise the strength and importance of Irish-US bilateral relations, particularly our economic ties. I intend to discuss issues including EU-UK relations, Northern Ireland and the US role in protecting the Good Friday Agreement. 

There was positive news this week in relation to the legislation to expand the E3 Visa programme, and I look forward to getting an update on how we can resolve the situation facing the undocumented Irish in America. This is a relationship that cannot be taken for granted and I intend to use my visit to Washington DC to deepen these ties, while also promoting EU-US relations.