Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said Taoiseach Micheál Martin should use his St Patrick’s Day meeting at the White House to tell US President Donald Trump that the Irish people disagree with his foreign and domestic policies.

Yesterday evening, the Taoiseach confirmed that he has received and accepted an invitation from Mr Trump to meet with him on St Patrick’s Day.

Despite vocal criticism of the planned meeting, Mr Martin said he will attend due to Ireland’s economic links to the US and the fact he is focused on “long-term” relations.

Speaking at the start of the second day of the Social Democrats national conference in Cork city, party leader Holly Cairns said while she has concerns about the meeting she understands why it is taking place.

Deputy Cairns told reporters that “given the quite contentious things coming out of the White House at the moment, perhaps it’s more important than ever to use this unique platform that Ireland has”.

She added: “We’re a small country but we’re a really influential one. We can be a strong voice for peace, and I think Micheál Martin should use that strong voice.”

When asked about the shamrock ceremony and whether it should still happen in addition to the meeting, Ms Cairns said: “I think the bowl of shamrocks is neither really here nor there to what’s going on in the world. It’s really a matter for him [the Taoiseach].

“I think what he needs to focus on is getting across that we stand with our EU partners, that we stand up to bullies and that we will not be on his peace board.”

The Social Democrats national conference is taking place at the Silversprings Hotel in Cork city this weekend.

Today’s discussions began with a session on how the party believes recent unofficial partnerships between left-leaning Opposition parties on matters like Catherine Connolly’s landslide presidential campaign victory could create “a seismic change” in Irish politics.

Breakout discussions are also planned on specific policies, including those on housing, the environment and Irish unity.

Soc Dems to draft bill against deepfake AI images

The party believes new laws are needed to give every individual copyright over their body image and voice, in a bid to push back against deepfake AI images.

Ms Cairns confirmed she and her party’s media and communications spokesperson Sinéad Gibney are working on drafting a new opposition bill on the matter in the coming weeks.

Speaking with reporters, Deputy Cairns said there are legitimate growing concerns over deepfake images.

The controversy has come into the spotlight in recent weeks due to the production of sexual imagery, including imagery of children, using AI-altered images via Grok on social media app X.

However, while France and other countries are taking legal action against the company, Ms Cairns said in her view Ireland’s response has so far not been as strong.

The Social Democrats leader said given “the world is changing so quickly” there is a need “to give people copyright for their body and voice”.

Read more: Social Democrats will ‘talk to all parties after election’ – Cairns

Meanwhile, there is also likely to be much focus on the Social Democrats’ two by-election candidates Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich in Galway West and councillor Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central – and how a left-leaning opposition unofficial partnership will work in by-election races where each party runs its own candidate.

Ms Nic Fhionnlaoich and Mr Ennis said they are running in Galway West and Dublin Central because they believe “things can change”.

Ms Nic Fhionnlaoich, who is a Gaelgoir from Co Galway and parliamentary assistant to TD Sinéad Gibney, said her focus will be on improving services in the area.

She said this included the need for “a proper single-tier health service” and improved transport and other services.

Mr Ennis, who is a councillor and Dublin Central by-election candidate, said his focus is on providing a “positive change” to the area.

He said this includes addressing the homelessness crisis, which he said “isn’t a housing crisis – it’s a housing disaster”.

A keynote speech from Ms Cairns will take place this evening, in which it is expected the Social Democrats leader will reference the cost of living crisis and what she said yesterday was an Occupied Territories Bill which is now “gathering dust in Government Buildings”.

The address will be broadcast live on RTÉ One television at 6:30pm and on the RTÉ news channel.