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

I understand it is difficult diplomatically to rescind an invitation and perhaps this might go the way of the United Kingdom's which the American President said he would not take up because there would be protests. There will be protests here if he comes and perhaps he might make the same decision not to come. It would be a deeply divisive moment because he stands for values against which we must protest. I am interested in the Taoiseach's next steps. His job is important and occasionally one has the sense that the path of history is evolving. We are watching his steps to see what path he will take. He has said he cannot rescind the invitation. What steps will he take to say the United States is not to be relied on, as Chancellor Merkel has done? What opportunity will he take to stand up for our values and against tyranny which is the central argument of the book mentioned? Where will he be courageous? In what way will he set his values and define what he represents? It is not good enough to stay shtum for the next ten months, visit for St. Patrick's Day and have the entire parade start again. What will the Taoiseach do if he is not willing to rescind the invitation? What has changed from what he said in March other than the confines of his office? How might he break from them in a truly enlightened and historic way? His historian might help him craft a speech, which is what I would recommend.

See this speech in context