Paddy’s day and that broth of a boy, Donald Trump

It’s started already: should Irish politicians make the annual St Patrick’s Day pilgrimage to the White House, given that the present occupant of said White House is Donald J Trump?

Maybe start by asking why have so many Irish politicians gone to the US – loads of places besides Washington – every year?

Because of the desire to strengthen the historic ties between the South of Ireland and the US.  Dublin and Cork in particular are key centres for big internet companies – Google, Apple, Meta etc. At least one-third of the southern economy is dependent on these companies. The Irish government wrestled for years to avoid having to take some thirteen billion from Apple coffers in the form of tax. Eventually Dublin had to reluctantly accept the Apple moolah. I’d say Apple weren’t too thrilled parting with it either.

Now Trump is intent on making America great again (God help us all), he may well pressure these big FDI companies to relocate to the US and provide jobs for the American people, not Irish people. Why should he care about the Irish ? He’s not even Irish in his background  – his mother was a Scot. Sammy Wilson and Gavin Robinson, to mention just two DUP luminaries, are delighted to see Trump returned, and are doubtless hoping he’ll inflict as much economic damage on the South of Ireland as possible. You’ll not get him calling over his shoulder  – in jest- saying he’s Irish, he has no time for things British.

Finally, let’s face it. Trump is anti-EU, and the south of Ireland’s economy, as part of the EU, depends on the good-will of Trump. So however strong the temptation to smash the hand-cut crystal bowl over Trump’s absurd head, they’d be well-advised to resist such an urge.

The American people, for whatever reason, have voted this man to be their leader for the next four years. You don’t have to like your bin-man, but you’d do well to keep on the right side of him. And remember :   Tump responds better to those who stand up to him. So go , Taoiseach, go Tanaiste, go as many skilful politicians as possible. If the welfare of the twenty-six counties is to be maintained, you’d do well to be polite but firm with this gibbering orange baboon.