Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Okay, he will go. I would not go, but if he is going we cannot do with the way of business as usual. We cannot issue a statement which says nothing. We must stand up for rights because they represent what we stand for. What is our shared history with the United States that is important to us, that is close to us and that we value? In the short run it may be tricky, but in the long run we would better respected and we would honour the tradition and connection we have. I wish he was not going, but if he is going to go let us present a bowl of shamrock to John F. Kennedy's grave in recognition of those values or to Lincoln's Memorial, but do not just walk up to the White House and present a bowl of shamrock all smiles as if nothing is happening, which is what the Minister's speech states.

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