Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín will visit Washing DC this week. Speaking in advance of his trip to the USA, Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín stated:
“Aontú is delighted to be setting up ‘Friends of Aontú USA’. Over the last few years we have had a lot of Irish people in the US showing strong interest in Aontú. Many have been asking how they can help to fix the growing problems in Ireland. Friends of Aontú USA is an opportunity for Irish America to help.
I have visited the US a number of times since being elected a TD for Meath West. Irish people in the US have stated over and over again that they are disappointed that the political establishment in Ireland pays so little attention to them. Many have said that other than St Patrick’s day in Washington, there is very little engagement. I think this is shocking. So many were forced to emigrate and now they feel forgotten about.
Another reason for setting up Friends of Aontú USA is harness good will for Irish Unity. The Irish independence project and the Irish in America have gone hand in hand for generations. I believe that we will see Irish Unity in the next 15 years. Irish America will be central to that. Aontú also wants to build leverage on Capitol Hill in Ireland’s interests. We believe that this can positively shape the Irish American relationship from economics, to investment, to Irish Unity.
I will also be raising the issue of Greenland with Congressmen and Congresswomen this week. I don’t believe that Trump will invade Greenland. Trump’s negotiating style is to negotiate with a gun under the table. I believe that he is seeking to put maximum pressure on the EU to extract concessions. Trump is transactional and needs a deal of some sort. Aontú comes from the Good Friday school of politics. Dialogue is key here. EU leaders, including Mícheál Martin need to reach out to senior US politicians such as Trump, Vance and Rubio to persuade for a partnership solution on Greenland. It’s in no one’s interest that this political conflict continues. Already the dollar has weakened, US shares have fallen and the US bond prices have increased.
The inaugural meeting of Friends of Aontú USA will take place in in Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant, 121 W, 45th St, New York 10036 from 5.30pm to 8pm on Saturday the 24th. I would encourage supporters of Aontú in the US to attend. If people would like to get in contact before or after please email me on peadar.toibin@oireachtas.ie or call on 00353 872707985”. ENDS
