Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am still disappointed that the Taoiseach has not raised his opposition to this ban directly with the Trump Administration. I wrote to the Taoiseach last week about this. I also wrote to President Trump. The Taoiseach could have done the same. He is the Taoiseach and represents the people of this State.

The celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the USA is not the province of any US President, tradition or political party. These celebrations are inclusive and they cover a wide range of opinions, ethnic backgrounds and people of all colours and creeds. Sinn Féin has played a positive role in building and supporting Ireland's relationship with the USA. We will continue to do so.

However, we have also consistently criticised successive Administrations on their policies, both publicly and directly with Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. Our main engagement is with Irish America. It is the bridge between this island and the people in the USA. Many of them are as appalled as anyone else by the racist, anti-women and anti-immigration policies of President Trump. Does the Taoiseach agree that as well as standing up and against President Trump's unacceptable policies, we need to keep building support within the USA for the process of change in our own country? That is not something the Government has done in the past. I ask the Taoiseach to commit to doing that in a better way in the future.

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