NI politicians praise 'good engagement' with Trump

Donald Trump took a "significant interest" in Northern Ireland during engagements with politicians in Washington, the deputy first minister has said.

Emma Little-Pengelly, as well as Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots, met the US President during a St Patrick's Day luncheon on Capitol Hill.

Little-Pengelly said she and the president discussed "long-standing and close ties" between the two nations.

"It's a good opportunity for me to speak up for Northern Ireland... to make sure we are part of the conversation this week," she added.

A number of politicians from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have travelled to the US capital for the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Speaking to BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme, the deputy first minister said the events allow Northern Ireland "unparalleled access" to some of the world's most influential leaders, including the president.

"We had a very good discussion with President Trump," she said.

"We talked about our shared desire to see peace in Ukraine, but of course we moved on to talking about Northern Ireland, those long-standing and close ties that we've had with the USA for some considerable time, how do we build on that moving forward."

Little-Pengelly said the president also spoke briefly about the "historic relationship" between the US and NI, and referenced Portrush hosting one of golf's most prestige championships later this year - The Open.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US president said he was unaware that some political parties were boycotting St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House.

Some political parties - Sinn Féin, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Alliance - previously ruled out attending events in Washington over the Trump administration's stance on Gaza.

When asked about the boycotts, Trump replied: "I haven't heard that, I really haven't heard that."

Little-Pengelly said she "disagreed" with First Minister Michelle O'Neill's boycott of the celebrations, adding she "should have been here".

"I am sure Michelle O'Neill may disagree with the fact that I am here, but I am here representing the government of Northern Ireland, I'm here representing the people of Northern Ireland," she told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"I am absolutely comfortable with my decision to come here and as I've said to turn up, to speak up and to make sure that I am championing Northern Ireland at every opportunity.

"That's my role, I believe that's what the people of Northern Ireland expect of me."

The Northern Ireland Secretary, who is also in Washington for St Patrick's Day celebrations, commended the "strong bond" between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States.

Hilary Benn said the US is a country that was built "in significant measure" by those from Ireland.

"There is a coming together of special relationships and the warmth that was evident in the speeches we heard from President Trump and Micheal Martin was palpable," he told BBC News NI.

"It's a relationship that really does have an impact over time, it's not just about celebrations."

Benn said Northern Ireland's voice has "clearly" been in Washington, with his presence and that of the deputy first minister.

"My job as the secretary of state is to make sure that the voice of Northern Ireland, the interests of Northern Ireland are heard in the discussions that I am having with representatives of the administration and the many American companies that have already invested in Northern Ireland," he added.

The NI secretary said Northern Ireland's access to both the UK and EU markets through the Windsor Framework made it appealing for American investors.

"My mission is to encourage people to come, look, see, believe and the history of American investment in Northern Ireland is very, very considerable indeed."

On Wednesday, Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin met Trump for a bilateral meeting at the White House.

It came as part of the Irish Government's traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.

The president raised the issue of a "massive" trade imbalance with Ireland, while Martin said that foreign investment is a two-way street.

Trump also accused the EU of treating the US "very badly", following retaliatory tariffs on €26bn ($28bn) worth of US goods from next month.

Asked for his reaction to Trump being unaware some parties had decided to boycott events, Martin said: "I'm not going to comment on that.

"I note that there was a strong presence in Northern Ireland at the lunch. I saw Hilary Benn there, the Northern Secretary of State," he told reporters.

The taoiseach said the issue of peace in the Middle East and Ukraine came up during the meeting, with Martin saying there are lessons from Northern Ireland which can be applied.

"He was interested in Northern Ireland in terms of the peace there, how are things holding, and I spoke about the importance of reconciliation and how how reconciliation is an ongoing journey for all of us," he told reporters after the White House meeting.

"We applied some of the lessons of that to Ukraine and to the Middle East. So overall, a very positive - I thought - engagement."