Taoiseach Micheál Martin set to discuss global issues with US President Donald Trump in Dublin next weekend.
According to the Minister of Public Expenditure, the Taoiseach and the US President will address the two-way relationship between Ireland and the US.
Jack Chambers said via RTE that the meeting that is due to take place in Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park will reflect the Irish perspective on wider global affairs.
In a recent interview on RTÉ's This Week programme Chambers was asked if the upcoming discussion would include talks about Gaza and the West Bank. Chambers said the Taoiseach demonstrated in Washington last March that he is more than capable of presenting Ireland’s position in a respectful and effective manner.
According to Chambers, the Government's aim is to continue to "deepen the relationship between Ireland and the US in the period ahead."
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Martin was questioned by the Irish Examiner whether he plans to raise the negative impacts on Ireland's economy of the US and Israel's war against Iran.
“We will obviously talk on a number of issues and our consistent view and the one we have articulated is the need for peace and a cessation of hostilities,” Martin said.
“I believe the US wants a cessation of hostilities. It is not clear whether the Iranian regime wants that. It is just not clear. But it is extremely important that we do bring an end to that war and that stability and certainty can be again brought back to global energy markets, because that’s affecting everybody," he continued.
Martin stated that normal security protocols will apply for the Trumps visit. He said, according to the Irish Examiner, that the "Irish Open is an important event, and it will have a degree of attention and profile this year that it perhaps has never had."
“Doonbeg and the people of Doonbeg are particularly welcoming of the fact that the Irish Open is there, because it has been important to the local economy and so on. But people have the right to protest in any democracy. And as I say once it is within the norms of legitimate action and protest that is the essence of a democratic world," he continued.
As we approach the Budget, Chambers has stressed that no decision has yet been made on future carbon tax increases and that the issue remains under review.
The minister insisted that the Government is conscious of the rising energy costs facing households.
He stated that the Budget would include a substantial income tax package, while stressing that the overall measures would remain moderate.
