Micheál Martin to give update on restoring Stormont Executive on Washington visit

Tánaiste Micheál Martin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Gabija Gataveckaite

Tánaiste Micheál Martin will give US politicians an update on restoring the Stormont Executive in his trip to Washington DC and Chicago this week.

The foreign affairs minister will meet with some of US President Joe Biden’s administration, several Congress members as well as some of the Congressional Friends of Ireland in Washington.

He will give an update on the restoring of the Stormont Executive and also push Ireland’s position on Gaza in meetings.

A senior Government source said the Irish Government wants to make its position on Gaza clear in US circles.

The Irish Government has said it will “strongly consider” whether or not to make an intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Criminal Court.

The Government also believes there should be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The US is a strong backer of Israel and is credited with funding Israel’s war on Hamas.

Mr Martin will give a keynote address at the Atlantic Council and also meet US business representatives with operations in Ireland.

He will announce plans to open the new ‘Ireland House’ in Chicago on Thursday which is part of the Government’s Global Initiative.

Ireland is marking a centenary of diplomatic relations with the US this year.

"I look forward to returning to the United States this week to discuss ways of further strengthening our excellent bilateral relations on the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States this year,” he said.

“Following the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last week, I will update our friends in the United States Congress and President Biden’s administration on these developments and the challenges that remain, and discuss the role the United States can continue to play in ensuring peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Martin is also expected to raise the ongoing war in Ukraine in meetings.

He will meet with the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago in Chicago and also meet some Irish diaspora.

“I will announce the Government’s plans to open an Ireland House in Chicago later this year as a demonstration of Ireland’s strong continued commitment to the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the wider Midwestern United States,” said Mr Martin.