POLL: Should Louth Cathaoirligh boycott St Patrick's Day trip to US this year?
In protest against US actions in Gaza
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is to proceed with the annual trip to Washington DC for the traditional shamrock ceremony at the White House with US President Joe Biden, along with other ministers travelling to other US cities, despite calls for a boycott this year in protest against US support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
It has not yet been confirmed if the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, along with the Caothoirligh of Dundalk Municipal District and Ardee Municipal District, and Drogheda Borough Mayor, will make the annual trip to New York for St Patrick's Day, but it is expected that they will.
While it may be important to maintain the annual trip to promote Ireland, and to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to voice Ireland's concerns over what is happening in Gaza, would it make sense for the Cathaoirligh in Louth, along with the Cathaoirligh of other local authorities to boycott this year's trip?
If Cathaoirligh boycotted this year's trip, while the Government's trip proceeded, would this be a way to let the US and Irish Americans know that the the Ireland-USA relationship is important but a message needs to be sent that Ireland demands a ceasefire in Gaza?
What do you think?