Kerry County Council is to seek a meeting with the new US Ambassador to Ireland.
It followed a controversial motion tabled by Fianna Fail Cllr Thomas McEllistrim seeking to invite Us President Donald Trump to the county.
Cllr Thomas McEllistrim first raised this matter as an emergency motion at the December meeting of Kerry County Council.
He wanted the local authority to send a letter of congratulations to Donald Trump on becoming US President and to invite him to visit the county; that motion was deferred to this month’s meeting of the council.
Cllr Donal Grady objected to the motion saying Donald Trump is no Kennedy and that he has insulted women, those with disabilities and the Irish; however, Cathaoirleach Michael O’Shea said the motion was legal.
Cllr McEllistrim said a visit by President Trump would benefit Kerry both on an economical and tourism level and pointed to the impact of visits by John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama on various areas.
He said this would also be important to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the US adding it is incumbent to work with the newly elected President, respect the office he holds and democracy.
However, Cllrs Jim Finucane and Norma Foley said correct protocol would be seek a meeting with the US Ambassador to Ireland; who is expected to be Brian Burns who has strong connections to Sneem.
Cllr McEllistrim agreed to this alternative motion if this was correct protocol.
