Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Like many people, I was extremely disappointed at the Taoiseach's approach to President Trump. We understand that such visits have to be performed with decorum and that Irish interests are at stake but the Taoiseach indicated, when he was in opposition, when campaigning for the Fine Gael leadership, and subsequently, that he was going to be honest with Donald Trump about our views as a country. I was particularly disappointed that he did not take up with Donald Trump issues such as the views he has often expressed with regard to women, which are really sexist and misogynistic. They seemed to have no part in the discourse. The Taoiseach was trying to pander to President Trump, to use an American phrase for when one covers someone in congratulations and leaves difficult issues, which can be discussed between countries that have strong mutual relations and which deserve to be mentioned, to one side. I do not understand what overcame the Taoiseach. Did he lose his nerve? Did he feel that, strategically, raising Mr. Trump's ire was not worth setting out the Irish position on many issues? The Taoiseach did himself and the country no service in simply pandering to Donald Trump on that day. Yes, it must have been a very exciting day for the Taoiseach, but the Irish people deserved better representation.

See this speech in context