It would be “ludicrous” for An Taoiseach to go to the White House on St Patrick’s Day if the US sends bulldozers into Gaza, the Social Democrats have said. 

Last week, during a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump announced that the United States was "committed to buying and owning" Gaza. 

He also said the local population would be banished and that he could find other countries to "take care of the Palestinians".

Despite some diplomatic tension between Ireland and the US, the Government expects Micheál Martin will receive an invite to the White House.

Mr Martin has described the tradition as a "time-honoured tradition which we appreciate".

Obviously a little disappointed not to represent the Irish people 🇮🇪 in person today at The White House.

Enjoyed a warm and engaging talk with @POTUS to convey the pride and support of our country to him.

Thank you for all the well wishes. I am feeling well and self isolating.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 17, 2022

However, on Newstalk Breakfast, Social Democrat Gary Gannon said the Taoiseach should boycott the annual ceremony if such the US annexes Gaza. 

“If there is a scenario where we literally have bulldozers going into Gaza, clearing 1.8 million people out, of course, it would be ludicrous to pass over a bowl of shamrock in that situation,” he said. 

“This is a different Trump 2.0; there are genuine calculations to be made [about] going to the US at this point. 

“Trump will be coming up to the midway point of his first 100-days in office; everything is about shock, awe and distraction in the media.” 

Then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl shamrocks during a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House. Picture by: dpa picture alliance / Alamy

Trump has previously said that tariffs on EU goods imported into the United States could happen “pretty soon”. 

In 2023, Ireland exported €54 billion worth of goods to America and Deputy Gannon speculated that Trump could use the occasion to announce tariffs or even end up “belittling Micheál Martin”. 

“It won’t just be an easy case of going over with a bowl of shamrocks,” he said. 

“So, an entire diplomatic core should be engaged for every eventuality - if we are intending to go to the White House. 

“If, indeed, we get the invitation.” 

US President Donald Trump and then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meet for the annual St Patricks Day visit in the Oval Office. Picture by: White House Photo / Alamy Stock Photo

Deputy Gannon said Ireland should try and avoid making an “enemy” of America but said it may be difficult to avoid upsetting the current US Administration. 

“We are economically, also culturally, quite aligned - that’s just the way things are,” he said. 

“But as to whether we want it or not, this is something that is happening; Donald Trump is very clearly talking about tariffs [and] he’s highlighted the pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity of Ireland. 

“We’re already very much in Donald Trump’s sight; I saw a quote the other day from Winston Churchill, of all people, of an appeaser [being a person] who feeds the crocodile and hopes they eat him last.” 

The annual St Patrick’s Day ceremony at the White House has its origins in 1952 when Ireland’s Ambassador sent a small box of shamrocks to Harry Truman.]

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Main image: Micheál Martin and Trump. Pictures by: Rolling News and Alamy.com