Ireland has been warned not to “lecture the United States on policy” during St Patrick’s Day visits to the country by a former White House press secretary.
On The Hard Shoulder today Sean Spicer, who served under the Donald Trump administration, said future visits will be restricted if they turn into “bilateral meetings on policy issues” rather than celebrations.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told President Joe Biden that Ireland’s history is “reflected” in Israel’s at the Shamrock Ceremony address on Sunday and used the platform to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Spicer said Ireland should not “take advantage” of its access to the White House on St Patrick’s Day.
“This time I saw the Taoiseach lean out a lot on the Hamas thing,” he said.
“At some point, if this event isn’t as enjoyable as it should be and becomes a policy discussion, rather than a celebration of our special bond, I don’t know how those days go anymore.
“I feel right now there is so much joy but if it becomes a bilateral meeting on policy issues, the dynamic changes.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t bring it up but if you use the event to advance an agenda the US Government is going to treat it much differently.”
Mr Spicer said he would not advise an Irish Taoiseach to lecture Donald Trump next year if he is elected president.
“It would be good advice not to do it," he said.
“It’s like going to a relative’s house for a holiday, it should be an enjoyable time but if you turn it into a debate the dynamic changes.
“They might invite you back but it may be a much more hastened visit.
“He owns property here; he loves talking about the golf and everything that Ireland has to offer as well as all that direct financial investment we have in this country too
“But if you threaten that and start to attack him and his policies, he will delegate you to a staffer – just like we usually would with another country.”
White House access
Mr Spicer said Ireland “punches above its weight” in relation to White House access.
“If you think about it, no other country comes over for the United States and captures the attention that the Taoiseach does,” he said.
“There are parades, events, and there is such a special bond that is very different to any other country – even to England.
“When the Prime Minister comes over it's nice but there’s something that captivates the US when the Taoiseach comes over.”
Mr Spicer said he would “hate” for the relationship between Ireland and the US to be damaged through future White House meetings.
You can listen back here:
Main image: Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer with Kieran Cuddihy in Newstalk studios today. Image: Newstalk
