White House reveals virtual plan for St. Patrick’s Day



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The White House has announced the details of next week’s virtual meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US President Joe Biden.

According to the statement, the two leaders will reaffirm the deep and historic partnership and “extraordinary people-to-people ties” between the United States and Ireland on March 17.

They will also discuss fighting Covid-19, addressing global challenges, increasing shared prosperity, and supporting political and economic stability in Northern Ireland.

“Although the pandemic prevents the traditional celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at the White House this year, we hope to mark this holiday and our close relationship with Ireland in a safe way,” the statement concludes.

Traditionally, a visiting Taoiseach presents a clover bowl each year to the incumbent of the White House on March 17.

Earlier this month, President Biden praised the contributions of Irish immigrants, saying they had helped define the soul of America and shaped the country’s success for generations.

As is tradition in the US, March has been designated as Irish-American Heritage Month.

Micheál Martin declared that Joe Biden would be a “true friend of Ireland” when he was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20.

“It is a day of history and hope and I look forward to forging ever closer ties between our two great nations,” said the Taoiseach.

Meanwhile, Southern Ireland MEP Billy Kelleher has written to President Biden asking him to consider sharing the AstraZeneca vaccines stored in his country with other countries, including Ireland.

The Fianna Fáil politician said he had also written to Micheál Martin, requesting that he raise the issue with Biden on St. Patrick’s Day.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki previously told reporters: “Several countries … have requested doses from the United States and we have not provided doses from the United States government to anyone.”



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