Martin emerges unscathed, and with credit, from Trump meeting

James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Martin pushes back, gently, against Trump

Taoiseach Micheál Martin emerged unscathed from his St Patrick's Day meeting with US president Donald Trump, and even pushed back on certain issues.

He has earned praise for defending UK prime minister Keir Starmer, the European Union, migration, and Ukraine, after Trump hit many of his familiar soundbites.

Still angry at the UK's decision not the join his war on Iran, Trump used the Oval Office meeting to criticise Starmer who he said is "no Winston Churchill".

Martin told Trump Churchill had not been a friend to Ireland, before defending Starmer.

He said Starmer is a "very earnest, sound person” and he believes Trump has “a capacity to get on with” him.

“I just met with Keir Starmer last week, the British-Irish relationship is a very important one. Churchill was a great wartime leader, although in Ireland it was kind of a different perspective in terms of our own war of independence and so on, he created his own bit of difficulties for us. But that said, he was a great wartime hero.

“Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship. I just want to put that on the record.

“But I do believe that he is a very earnest, sound person that I think you have a capacity to get on with.

“And you’ve got on with him before, and you’ve got on with other European leaders as well and I think you have that capacity again."

Martin also defended immigration in the European Union after Trump launched a familiar attack on migration policies.

The US media gave Martin favourable reports for his performance.

The New York Times report that Martin "pushed back, gently" against Trump.

The report notes it was a "delicate balance" for the Taoiseach, due to the importance of the Ireland-US relationship.

Comparing the meeting to a recent one between Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, The Times noted Martin's Oval Office outing contained "some awkward silence as well".

However, it praised Martin for calling for peace in the Middle East and defending European allies.

"Mr Martin walked a fine line. He denounced Iranian aggression, saying 'you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon,' and underlining that 'all European countries' have recognised Iran as a sponsor of terrorism. He also defended European responses."

USA Today focused more so on the musings of Trump, however, the report notes his misgendering of President Catherine Connolly.

"While meeting with the Irish prime minister at the White House, Trump was asked by a reporter to respond to Ireland’s president saying the Iran war is illegal.

“Look, he’s lucky I exist, Trump said.

"The president of Ireland is Catherine Connolly, who, like the acting Venezuelan president, is not a man."

The Huffington Post also focused on Martin's defence of Starmer in an "awkward" Oval Office meeting.

The report also praises Martin for defending Ukraine.

"The taoiseach also tried to appeal to Trump over Ukraine, as the president consistently – and falsely – blames Kyiv for starting the war.

"'The Russians did invade Ukraine, attack civilian infrastructure. The people of Ukraine just want peace and an opportunity to live,' Martin said. 'We want a peaceful resolution of conflict.'

"His remarks show how the tide is turning against Trump across Europe at a time when Nato is desperately trying to stay out of the US’s conflict in the Middle East."

Trump indicated he was hoping to visit Ireland while the Irish Open takes place at his resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, in September.

However, The Washington Post report focuses on the tone of the meeting, claiming it dashes any hopes of a visit. The headline reads  'Trump attacks on European allies dash hopes for Irish visit'.

It reads: "Trump proceeded to bash Ireland and the European Union for tariffs and tax policies that he blamed for hurting the United States — an on-camera dressing-down that gave Martin little opportunity for a confidential appeal, nor much chance to get a word in edgewise."

The Post focused on Trump's criticism of US companies based in Ireland, while also noting Martin's defence of Starmer and the European Union.

The Rest Is Politics podcast co-hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart have both complimented Taoiseach Micheál Martin for how he conducted himself in the meeting with US president Donald Trump.

Martin was forced to sit in silence for long periods, as all world leaders normally have to with Trump, but when he got a chance he was not afraid to push back.

In notable moments he defended UK prime minister Keir Starmer, Europe and Ukraine.

Campbell is a former journalist who worked as a strategist and adviser for former UK prime minister Tony Blair.

He is often linked with the UK's involvement with the Iraq war, and Starmer is currently facing the ire of Trump for refusing to let Britain become involved in the Iran war.

Campbell wrote: "Well done @MichealMartinTD - speaking up for European allies. Speaking up for @Keir_Starmer Speaking up for Ukraine. And doing it in a way that kept the Orange Man Boy for several minutes. Happy St Patrick’s Day."

Stewart is an academic and former diplomat and politician. He wrote: "A master mass here from Micheal Martin on how to speak fluently and diplomatically - while also standing up for values, peace and European allies."

Jim O'Callaghan gets Leaders' Questions practice

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has been widely tipped as the successor to Martin.

With the Taoiseach not yet home from the US, O'Callaghan got a chance to practice at Leaders' Questions.

He was forced to defend Martin's visit to the Oval Office amid criticism from the Opposition.

The Government “will act” on rising energy costs, the Minister for Justice said, but could not indicate when that will happen.

Sinn Féin’s leader Mary Lou McDonald said home heating oil had reached €900 for a half fill and “people can’t wait as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael twiddle your thumbs”.

Energy costs

The Government will finalise “an appropriate intervention” to rising fuel and energy prices next week, the Tánaiste has said.

Simon Harris said measures would be signed off at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking in the Dail, Harris said: “This Government understands the pressures families and businesses are under.

“They are feeling it at the pumps – where the cost of filling a car has risen considerably in the space of just over a fortnight – and they are seeing it in the cost of a fill of oil.”