Donald Trump expected to meet President Catherine Connolly
The US president will be in Ireland on September 12 and 13 for engagements in Dublin and his golf resort in Doonbeg.
Donald Trump is expected to meet Irish President Catherine Connolly during his visit to Ireland at the end of next week.
A major security operation will be in place for his arrival, with the Defence Forces co-ordinating manoeuvres with the Irish police service An Garda Síochána.
The US president will be in Ireland on September 12 and 13 for engagements in the capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which will be hosting the Irish Open.
The visit poses additional logistical headaches for security services as it coincides with several major meetings for Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Arrangements are being finalised but it is understood Mr Trump will be greeted by the country’s deputy premier, Tánaiste Simon Harris, at Dublin Airport on Saturday.
He is then expected to meet Ms Connolly at her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
The nearby Farmleigh Estate has been reported as a venue for a meeting with the Irish premier, Taoiseach Mícheál Martin, on the same day, before Mr Trump travels to Doonbeg for the Open.
Ms Connolly, a long-standing critic of Mr Trump during her career in Ireland’s Dáil parliament, committed to a “meet and greet” with the US president during her election campaign last year.
Mr Martin, whose Fianna Fáil party unsuccessfully ran a candidate against Ms Connolly in last year’s election, said it was “appropriate and proper” for the two presidents to meet.
Asked if he had concerns about what may arise in their discussion, he said: “No, not at all.”
Speaking to reporters in Ballymun, Dublin, Mr Martin said the itinerary is “subject to the (US) president’s schedule”, but added: “He did indicate that he would be anxious to get to the Irish Open in Doonbeg – we did say to him that we would like to have him at the Irish Open.
“The relationship between Ireland and the United States is very important economically. It’s very significant both ways, I have to add, in terms of Irish companies accessing the US market, creating jobs in the US market and exporting to the US market and vice versa.”
Opposition party People Before Profit urged the public to participate in a “No Welcome for Trump” protest on Saturday September 12, organised by the Irish Neutrality League.
The demonstration will be held at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance.
The Taoiseach said: “In Ireland, we’re a democracy. People have the right to protest.
“That has occurred in previous times where presidents came, but I think what’s important also though is that they’re respectful and they respect the rights of others who participate in events.”