If the list of possible conversation pieces in the Oval Office on Saint Patrick's Day was already long it has now grown longer still.
Iran will loom large over the bowl of shamrock.
And Ireland’s position has been made clear by Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee.
"The current military operations by the United States and Israel have no mandate or authorization from the United Nations. Nor has any attempt been made to seek such an authorization," McEntee told reporters.
"Ireland’s position on the use of force outside such a context is well-established and known. Ireland’s position is equally clear that all states must abide by international law and the principles of the UN Charter."
McEntee, according to the Irish Times, said she expected Taoiseach Micheál Martin to raise Ireland’s concerns about the recent U.S. and Israeli attack when he meets President Trump in the White House on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Stated the Times report: “While stressing it would be a matter for the Taoiseach to decide how he approaches the meeting, she said Ireland has always used high-level engagements in Washington to address global issues of concern.”
And McEntee added: “If this is still going on in the way that it currently is, I have no doubt that there will be conversations about it.
“I can’t speak directly for the Taoiseach but it would be an opportunity to raise the concerns that we have.”
Asked if she or the Irish government condemned the action, McEntee did not respond directly to the question but said the government’s view was that there should be U.S. congressional approval for the U.S. military action and there should also have been a United Nations mandate.
“That hasn’t happened here. We have been very clear. We don’t think it has been the right approach,” she said.
