Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

12:55 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps after pilates, we can also have a book club.

To answer Deputy Eamon Ryan's question frankly, in March an invitation was issued by the former Taoiseach, Deputy enda Kenny, to President Trump. I will not, of course, rescind that invitation. It would be inappropriate and create a diplomatic incident if I was to rescind an invitation once made but no progress has been made in organising such a visit, for which there is no timeline. I assure the Deputy that in my dealings with the American Government and my interactions and engagement with the chargé d'affaires who is here and acting US ambassador to Ireland I will approach them based on the long-standing friendship between our countries and the familial, cultural and economic links, but I will never shirk from raising issues such as climate change. I totally reject and oppose President Trump's attempt to withdraw the United States from the commitments made in Paris. I will also raise our concerns about human and LGBT rights and other issues in America that very much oppose the values of the new European centre about which I talk.

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