US President Donald Trump told the UK to open up oil and gas fields in the North Sea as he arrived in Ireland for a two-day visit which will see him meet with political leaders and visit his golf course.
Asked by a reporter about people in Ireland paying 40 per cent more for home heating oil than before the start of the war with Iran, Mr Trump again piled the pressure on Labour over its energy policies.
‘If they opened up in the UK, the North Sea, your prices will tumble,’ he replied. ‘As soon as they open up the great North Sea, and they haven’t… when that’s open, your prices are going to go way down.’
The President was speaking as he arrived at President Catherine Connolly’s official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, ahead of meetings with her and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The trip has been described as one of the biggest security operations ever implemented by the Irish police service.
Mr Trump will take part in engagements in the Irish capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish Open – but the visit has sparked backlash among residents with protests planned.
As Air Force One touched down on Irish soil early on Saturday, dozens of police officers and security force personnel were seen preparing for the President to disembark and enter a waiting motorcade.
As he stepped out of the jet and onto a waiting red carpet, Mr Trump was greeted by Ireland’s Finance Minister Simon Harris.
US President Donald Trump is greeted by Ireland’s Finance Minister Simon Harris at Dublin Airport on Saturday morning
President Trump waves at Dublin Airport before stepping into a waiting motorcade
Mr Trump and his entourage exit Air Force One at the start of their two-day trip to Ireland
The President was greeted by a group of officials and disembarked from Air Force One accompanied by security personnel
The President salutes as he is greeted at Dublin Airport by officials and the military
The Irish premier has said he looks forward to welcoming Mr Trump to Ireland and ‘discussing the many issues of mutual interest and reaffirming the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States’.
‘His visit comes during a remarkable sporting summer for Ireland, and the United States and this weekend’s Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg will be a fitting conclusion to an outstanding season of sport, and I hope we will see an Irish winner lifting the trophy on Sunday,’ he added.
On Saturday Mr Trump met with President Connolly, a longstanding critic of the US president, before a nearby engagement with the Taoiseach at the Farmleigh Estate.
Presidents Trump and Connolly observed the national anthems of both their countries and a guard of honour presented arms, with Mr Trump invited to perform an inspection.
Elsewhere, former Irish premiers Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were among hundreds of guests arriving at Deerfield, the residence of the US ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh, ahead of Mr Trump’s arrival.
Prominent business leaders, including Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, and entertainer Michael Flatley, were also among those expected to attend as Mr Trump will make a speech in a marquee set up in the grounds of the historic property at Deerfield in Phoenix Park, which is decked out with American flags.
Sound checks have included the playing of some of Mr Trump’s favourite songs, including the Village People’s YMCA, and his traditional walk-out song God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood.
A number of protests against Mr Trump’s visit have been planned.
Mr Trump will take part in engagements in the Irish capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish Open
Air Force One comes in to land at Dublin Airport for the start of Mr Trump’s trip to Ireland
A police motorcade is seen at Dublin Airport as the country prepares to welcome the US President for a two-day visit
Security and cars at Dublin Airport ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump on Air Force One
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said peaceful protest would be facilitated as much as possible, but there will be ‘no tolerance’ for public disorder or attempts to impact ‘critical movements’ of the US president.
‘We have robust policing plans in place and will arrest and prosecute those committing offences,’ he said, adding that water cannon will be ‘on standby’ but he hoped they would not be needed.
The visit is being hotly opposed by some Dubliners, and a massive security operation is underway.
Police put up a cordon around Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where he’ll meet Mr Martin – but residents expressed annoyance over the disruption.
‘He’s causing mayhem in this city because he wants to go down to Doonbeg and play golf,’ said taxi driver Christopher Fox, emphatically not a fan of Mr Trump. ‘The world’s in turmoil and this fella’s down playing golf.’
University student Mina Petrovski said Mr Trump’s ‘attitudes towards women, towards immigrants, towards minority communities in general are abhorrent.’ She said it’s ‘shameful that the Irish government is welcoming him with open arms.’
The trip comes after Mr Martin invited Mr Trump to visit Ireland when they met at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day this year.
Ireland’s political leaders will see the visit as a chance to maintain warm trans-Atlantic relations despite differences over trade and foreign policy, issues the White House said Mr Trump wants to discuss.
