NI Executive presence in Washington for St Patrick's Day events is 'positive'

It is “positive” that the Northern Ireland Executive is represented in Washington by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said.

Asked if it was damaging that Sinn Fein vice president and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill had ruled out attending events at the White House, Mr Martin said he “wouldn’t overstate that”.

Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is to host a reception with the America250 Commission in the Senate on Wednesday, focusing on the contribution of people from an Ulster Scots tradition to the development of the US.

Asked if this approach impacted the Irish Government’s efforts in the US, Mr Martin said: “Well, back then, there wasn’t that actual different perspective approach, if you know what I’m saying.

“I welcome that actually, because we’ve been for years saying to unionism, engage with the United States, engage with America.

“And to be fair, since Good Friday Agreement onwards, we’ve had a much stronger engagement with Northern Ireland. ”

Mr Martin said the Irish Government had an “open book approach to history” and “to understanding the different strands that influence the evolution of the island of Ireland”.

He also said he is “looking forward” to meeting US President Donald Trump.

Asked about his preparations for Wednesday’s meeting, Mr Martin said he focused on his engagements on Tuesday but described Ireland as “confident in our contribution to America on a number of fronts”.

He added: “I mean look at last evening, an Irish actress winning the Oscar – by all of the critics, an outstanding film.

“I mean, that’s where Ireland is today. We’re a self-confident country, self-confident people.

“And life is unpredictable, politics is unpredictable”.

On the war in Iran, he said Ireland will not be getting involved in securing the Strait of Hormuz, acknowledging that the country is “not a military power”.

The Taoiseach said there was a “conversation going on within Nato” but added that Ireland was not a member of that alliance.