Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he would not overstate the impact of Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill’s decision to boycott this year’s St Patrick’s Day events at the White House. O'Neill declined to travel to Washington for the second consecutive year in protest at United States policy on Gaza, while other political leaders from across Northern Ireland chose to attend.

Martin said it was positive that the Northern Ireland Executive was represented in Washington, noting he had met with Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and looked forward to further engagements. He emphasised the historic contribution of Ulster to the American Revolution and the broader development of the United States.

He also welcomed increased engagement by unionist representatives with the United States in recent years, describing it as a constructive development since the Good Friday Agreement. Martin added that Ireland has taken a more open and mature approach to examining its complex historical traditions and their global influence.