Varadkar says boycotting US trip would be ‘a mistake’

It would be “a mistake” for Ireland to boycott a shamrock presentation to the American president over US military aid in Israel, the Irish premier has said.

Leo Varadkar will travel to Washington DC next week where he will present Joe Biden with shamrock as part of annual engagements on St Patrick’s Day.

Some opposition politicians have called on the Irish leader to forego the tradition due to the conflict in Gaza.

Speaking in the Irish parliament on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said he does not believe in boycotts in terms of international affairs.

There are not many countries in the world that are guaranteed a meeting once a year. It would be a big mistake for us to boycott that and to lose that important engagement that occurs every year since the 1980s.