We, the undersigned, call on the Taoiseach of Ireland not to travel to the United States to meet the U.S. President for St Patrick’s Day.

This annual visit is often framed as a celebration of Irish identity and values. However, meeting a leader whose public record includes credible allegations of sexual misconduct, repeated racist and misogynistic rhetoric, and ongoing attacks on democratic norms risks sending a message that Ireland is willing to set aside its principles for political tradition and optics.

Ireland has consistently claimed to stand for human rights, equality, respect for women, and opposition to racism. A highly public, taxpayer-funded meeting with a leader whose actions and language contradict those values undermines Ireland’s moral credibility on the world stage.

At a time when people in Ireland are facing a housing crisis, rising living costs, and under-resourced public services, public funds should not be spent on symbolic diplomatic gestures that conflict with our stated values.

Diplomatic relations can be maintained without participating in ceremonial visits that risk legitimising behaviour many Irish people find deeply troubling. We ask the Taoiseach to show leadership by declining this visit and by demonstrating that Irish values are not conditional.