Global events will determine whether I visit Washington, says Michelle O’Neill

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she will take “international factors” into account when deciding whether to visit Washington DC for St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Ms O’Neill did not attend the event last year in protest against the US role in Israel’s war in Gaza, and she said the situation has since “got even worse”.

The First Minister told Sky News she has not booked any flights to visit the White House.

She added: “I decided last year that I wouldn’t go in the context of the genocide that we see unfolding in Gaza.

“I believe that situation has deteriorated even further.

“International events, they are changing day by day, hour by hour, so that will be the factors that I take into account whenever the decision is made.

“I’ll say more about that in the coming weeks, but I’m very clear that the international community have failed.

“They’ve allowed Israel to act with impunity.

“They have failed to stop a genocide that was unfolding right in front of our eyes.

“I think that when I reflect on what’s happening there now, the situation, even from last year, has got even worse.”

Both Ms O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the St Patrick’s Day events in Washington in 2024.

Last year, Ms O’Neill travelled to Carolina for a business event, but returned home rather than go to Washington DC.

Ms Little-Pengelly did travel to Washington and spoke with US President Donald Trump during a lunch at Capitol Hill.