TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has met with President Joe Biden today for a virtual St Patrick's Day ceremony.
Martin spoke with Mr Biden, vice president Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the traditional visit, which was done over video call this year.
Every year on St Patrick's Day, the Taoiseach traditionally visits the White House to meet with the US president and hand over a bowl of shamrock.
While the visit itself couldn't happen due to Covid-19, it's understood that the shamrock bowl was handed over 'virtually'.
Delighted to meet @VP @KamalaHarris. Good discussion on the issues facing our interconnected world and the need to work together - Covid 19, economic recovery, climate change and democracy. Ireland and the U.S. - partners as well as friends. 🇮🇪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vLZWZMgm7w
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 17, 2021
"Delighted to meet @VP @KamalaHarris," wrote Martin on Twitter.
"Good discussion on the issues facing our interconnected world and the need to work together - Covid 19, economic recovery, climate change and democracy. Ireland and the U.S. - partners as well as friends."
In a tweet earlier, Martin said he had discussed immigration with Speaker Pelosi and thanked her for her continued support for the Good Friday Agreement and on Brexit.
Great to meet @SpeakerPelosi today to thank her for her continued support for the Good Friday Agreement and on Brexit.
Also discussed immigration - creating pathways to citizenship for the undocumented and the E3 visa. pic.twitter.com/kFC4txtwky— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 17, 2021
"Great to meet @SpeakerPelosi today to thank her for her continued support for the Good Friday Agreement and on Brexit. Also discussed immigration - creating pathways to citizenship for the undocumented and the E3 visa," Martin wrote.
He also said he would taking the opportunity to thank Mr Biden for his support as well.
Much controversy surrounded Martin's supposed visit to Washington DC to meet with Mr Biden.
Many in Ireland were questioning the need for the Taoiseach to make the trip to the US, particularly when the country had imposed a non-essential travel ban.
Martin, who for a long time insisted that he would be going ahead with the trip, was accused of adopting a 'do as I say, not as I do' attitude toward foreign travel.
