Opposition TDs to boycott US Embassy for July 4 celebrations
The annual event sees politicians, media, business leaders and civil groups invited to attend but in recent years opposition parties have chosen to boycott.
Labour TD Conor Sheehan said he could not 'think of anything worse' than to attend the party.
'I know a few of us have received invites to the July 4 celebrations. I will not be attending. I couldn't think of anything worse to attend at the present moment, given what the US government is involved in, both in terms of legal wars overseas, but also in terms of the persecution of people in the US around these immigration rates,' Mr Sheehan said.
His party colleague Ciarán Ahern also said he would not attend the event, stating that their decisions to withdraw from a number of global agreements, including the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Trade Organisation.
Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson also said she would not attend saying to do so would be 'inappropriate'.
'I just think, given the context of US administration at this time, it's not really appropriate. It doesn't necessarily align with the values we will be supporting,' Ms Stephenson said.
While People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger said she would be protesting outside the event and called on all TDs to boycott the event.
'I'm part of the Dublin 15 With Palestine group, which covers the Phoenix Park as well, it's very near it. So we've organised a protest from our local group. We'll be going but we'll be outside protesting, because what's happening in the world is just incredible,' Ms Coppinger said.
While Roderic O'Gorman of the Green Party said he also boycotted the event last year, other opposition TDs said it was important to maintain relations with the US.
'While people would have obviously difference of opinion in terms of the Trump regime, potentially, there's no doubt in my mind that we need to continue to build a positive relationship with the American administration,' Aóntu leader Peadar Tóibín said, who added that his party have no problem attending.
Leader of Independent Ireland Michael Collins said he would be discussing attending the event with his party colleagues but that going to events like the July 4 celebrations was an opportunity to engage with the US administration on peace.
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