The content of the meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US President Donald Trump is “completely and utterly unpredictable”, Jonathan Healy has claimed.

Today marks the long-awaited meeting between Micheál Martin and President Trump at the White House in Washington DC.

There will be a press conference, a private meeting, and the traditional St Patrick’s Day passing of a bowl of Shamrocks – all after the Taoiseach meets with Vice President JD Vance for a breakfast at his residence.

It marks the first meeting between President Trump and a leader of a European country since the unsuccessful Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It will also be the first meeting between Trump and an EU state since the EU announced retaliation tariffs on US goods.

The White House fountain is died green to celebrate St Patricks Day, 17-03-2022. Image: Adam Schultz/White House Photo

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Jonathan Healy, standing in for Ciara Kelly, said what will happen at the White House today is “completely and utterly unpredictable”.

“I mean, it's happened for decades: we rock in, Waterford Crystal bowl of Shamrocks, back slaps, we love you, you love us - move on,” he said.

“But today, it could go any a number of ways.

“I mean, if you just look at the complicating factor that a number of journalists spotted members of the Burke family flying over to Washington yesterday, no one is suggesting they're going to be in the White House, but it just goes to the core of what could potentially go wrong today for Micheál Martin.

“I know from speaking to people who are travelling, it's the biggest Irish media pack that has travelled for some time, purely cause they're going for what will be a side show.”

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Donald Trump with a bowl of Shamrocks. Image: Alamy

Jonathan said it’s important to disregard political bias and remember how much experience the Taoiseach has with diplomacy.

“Now, let's remember politics and diplomacy are very different, so park your political bias.

“He is a diplomat, he has spent many years working in the Department of Foreign Affairs at the highest levels of Government, engaging the whole time [and] apparently he is very relaxed about this.

“I think it'll be a very pleasant in and out.”

US President Joe Biden watches as Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin speaks via teleconference during a virtual meeting on St. Patrick's Day, 17-03-2021. Image: Andrew Harnik/AP/Press Association Images

Co-presenter Shane Coleman agreed with Jonathan’s points.

“It should be fine but it could absolutely go pear shaped,” he said.

“I wrote a piece for the Business Post on Sunday about the 10 things that [Micheál Martin] should do.

“Wear a suit; flatter and charm, don't lecture; mention Doonbeg at every opportunity and how brilliant Doonbeg is; crank up the Irishness; accentuate the positives; talk about Ryanair and the business they do.

“But the one thing we do not do is go in and start lecturing.”

Shane also said that he is glad Micheál Martin is confident ahead of the meeting as he wouldn’t want to see a leader going in anxious and nervous.

Split image: Micheál Martin (L) and Donald Trump (R)