The Sinn Féin leader has said she does not believe the Taoiseach should travel to Washington to meet the US President this St Patrick’s Day.

No decision has yet been made on the Taoiseach’s traditional US trip; however, a number of his Government colleagues have suggested he should travel despite the ongoing coronavirus threat.

Just last week, the Government moved to strengthen international travel restrictions, with anyone who fails to isolate on arrival in Ireland facing prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan last night warned it was 'not realistic' for people to expect a summer holiday this year.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Micheál Martin’s White House visit should now be cancelled.

“If you want my honest view, I don’t believe anybody will be going anywhere this summer,” she said.

“Furthermore, I don’t believe the Taoiseach should be heading trans-Atlantically for St Patricks Day – I don’t think that is a real prospect at all.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald arriving at the Convention Centre Dublin for a Dáil session, 15-07-2020. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Archive/PA Images

Deputy McDonald said she has no plans to leave the country herself until it is safe to do so.

“I love the prospect of getting away and the sunshine and the Mediterranean, or anywhere quite frankly, where the sun shines and you are guaranteed the sun,” she said. “I am your woman, that is my first call when it comes to summer.

“But I won’t be travelling anywhere off the island this summer and I think the reality is that will be the case for everyone.

“I know that is bad news for the tourism industry, for our airline carriers and so on but as I see it now, and I heard Dr Holohan speaking last evening, I think he has set out the realistic position.”

She said protections must now be put in place to ensure people who have already booked holidays – or re-booked from last year – are not left out of pocket.

Deputy McDonald also addressed the intimidation of workers carrying out Brexit checks at Northern Irish ports, urging the unionist community to ‘confront and face down’ those responsible.

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