The US President, Joe Biden, who often speaks proudly of his Irish heritage, has had to delay a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister), Simon Harris, in Washington DC. This delay is due to Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit Florida around the same time the reception was scheduled to celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States.
Although the reception in the Rose Garden has been postponed, President Biden and Taoiseach Simon Harris are still planning to meet in the Oval Office. A spokesperson for the Taoiseach has confirmed that he will continue with the rest of his program in Washington as planned.
President Biden had extended a formal invitation to the Taoiseach to visit Washington during the UN General Assembly in New York. After a discussion on Monday night, President Biden and Taoiseach Simon Harris agreed to proceed with their meeting in the Oval Office but decided to postpone the reception in the Rose Garden due to the severe threat posed by Hurricane Milton in the United States.
US officials have expressed concerns about the dangerous nature of Hurricane Milton, which briefly reached category five status before dropping back down to category four. The storm is currently generating powerful winds of up to 155mph (250km/h) as it moves along the northern edge of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have issued warnings about the potential for “potentially catastrophic” storm surges along coastal areas. Residents of Florida have been advised to prepare for what could be the state’s largest evacuation effort in years.
The safety and well-being of the people in the path of Hurricane Milton are of utmost importance, and President Biden’s decision to postpone the reception with Taoiseach Simon Harris reflects the seriousness of the situation. Despite this delay, the strong diplomatic ties between Ireland and the United States remain a priority, and both leaders are committed to continuing their discussions in the Oval Office.
