Trump thanked by Irish PM for affirming US and Ireland's 'tremendous bond'

Taoiseach (Irish Prime minister) Micheál Martin has thanked Donald Trump for "affirming the tremendous bonds" between Ireland and the US during a meeting in the Oval Office.

He met the US president at the White House as part of the leader of Ireland's annual visit to Washington DC for St Patrick's Day.

During the meeting Trump said the "tremendous trade relationship" between Ireland and the US is "going to be expanded very quickly".

He added it was a "great honour" to welcome the taoiseach and said the two would be discussing a lot of different subjects including trade.

"It's a great honour to have Taoiseach Martin - somebody that we know we get along with. We've had a very good relationship," Trump said.

"We have a tremendous trade relationship with Ireland and we'll keep it that way. I think it's going to be expanded very quickly.

"Probably they want to talk a little bit about tariffs, but I won't mention that - you might want to be discussing that a little bit."

Every year the taoiseach makes a trip to the US and has an audience with the president at the White House.

During the trip the Irish leader presents the US president with a bowl of shamrocks, a tradition dating back to the 1950s.

The meeting on Tuesday was dominated with talk about Iran and fighting in the Middle East.

Taking questions from reporters Trump was asked what his message was to Irish people who are paying high energy prices because of the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

"I have a lot of friends from Ireland, they're very happy that I'm getting rid of... a nuclear power, a nuclear terrorist," Trump said.

"And as soon as that war is over, which will be soon, your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch."

Speaking at the meeting Martin said Ireland's connection to the US is foundational and historic.

"The Irish have helped to build America," he said.

"We're very proud of that connection and we think you hosting us here in the White House is affirmation to all the Irish-Americans out there and to our diaspora in this country for what they've contributed to America."

Martin told Trump 23 US presidents had Irish heritage, to which Trump said the Irish were "great politicians".

The taoiseach also said he would "love" to develop a legal pathway for migration between the US and Ireland.

He has faced criticism from some about meeting with Trump following the US and Israel's war with Iran.

Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill are boycotting the St Patrick's Day events in the US over that administration's policies in terms of Gaza.

But Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly - who is attending - has described the boycott as a "missed opportunity".

She said that "whatever your views of the president, when you have access to such an influential office you should not pass it up".