Micheál Martin has responded to claims from Sinn Féin that he joked about Ireland's housing crisis while meeting Donald Trump in the Oval Office. 

During Wednesday's meeting, Trump was asked about the Irish housing situation, to which he replied that the country has a problem because "they're doing so well." 

He added: "They can't produce houses fast enough. That's a good problem, not a bad problem. Everybody should have that problem."

Martin replied: “That’s a very good answer, President Trump.” 

He was also asked what he would do to "Make Ireland Great Again", to which he said that he would like to build more homes "faster" and that this was his "number one priority."

His comments drew criticism online, namely from Sinn Féin, with the party's housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, posting on X about them. 

He said: “Do the thousands of people in emergency shelters think this is funny?

“Or those trapped on Council waiting lists? Or those paying rip off rents?

“Joking about the housing crisis is never ‘a good answer’.”

Speaking to NewsTalk about the incident, Martin said: “I mean, in fairness, I think Sinn Féin have criticised it and we have to be careful not to parrot Sinn Féin on every occasion.

“Because I equally said in the press conference, very emphatically, what I would really wish for Ireland and I said, ‘The number one issue is housing and we need to build as many houses as quickly as we can for young people to be able to afford to buy or afford to rent.’”   

Members of Enoch Burke's family were dragged out of a gala dinner that the Taoiseach was attending last night. 

Burke's mother Martina and his two siblings Ammi and Isaac disrupted the Ireland Funds gala dinner in Washington D.C. 

Before being dragged out by security, they stormed the main floor during a speech by head coach of the Washington Commanders NFL team Dan Quinn.

The three members of the family began shouting "Enoch Burke is in prison", and "Why is Enoch Burke in prison for not accepting transgenderism?" 

Mr Burke was imprisoned for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from the school where he worked.

His three family members were eventually removed from the building but kept on with their shouting. 

While outside, Martina Burke said: “The Irish people live in fear, teachers are afraid in schools.

“Every single child is taught LGBTQ+, bisexual, transgender as fact, it’s a sad day. It’s a sad day for Ireland. 

"We need President Trump to know the truth but Micheál Martin is fooling him.”

When asked by a journalist who his favourite Irish person is, the US President replied: "I really like your fighter." 

The journalist asked if he meant McGregor, to which Trump then compliments his tattoos and says: "He is great, right?" and turns to Martin.

The Taoiseach is lucky to not have a chance to answer as Trump swifly adds that Martin's father was a fighter. 

Speaking shortly before his McGregor comment, Trump said: “I think the Irish love Trump. 

“I have been there many times and we don’t want to do anything to hurt Ireland but we want fairness." 

Trump also slammed the EU for stalling his efforts to expand his golf course in Doonbeg, Co. Clare. 

Martin chimes in with: "I think you’re the only US president who has actually physically invested in Ireland. 

"It [Doonbeg] really is beautiful, it has to be said."

Trump said that he would have put a 200% tariff on US pharmaceutical companies to prevent them from moving to Ireland. 

The US President praised Ireland for being "smart" by "taking our pharmaceutical and other companies away through taxation." 

He criticised former administrations "who didn't know what they were doing" and allowed these companies to leave. 

Trump told Martin he was lucky he wasn't president when the companies were on the move as he would have imposed a 200% tariff on US pharmaceutical companies. 

He said: “I looked at trade deals in term one that were so bad that I would say how could this have possibly happened, who would have been so stupid as to let that happen?

“I would like to see the US not be so stupid, not just in Ireland but everywhere.”

The family of Enoch Burke have reportedly been protesting outside the White House as Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrived for his meeting with Donald Trump. 

There was speculation that they would show up at the White House after they were reported to have boarded a flight to the U.S. on Tuesday. 

This was confirmed by Cuan Ó’Seireadáin, of RTÉ's Radió na Gaeltachta, who posted on X to say: "members of the Burke family are on my flight to Washington DC." 

He added: "When asked about the purpose of their journey they refused to answer my question as to whether they have been invited or not." 

It has now been reported that they were protesting outside the White House this afternoon.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived at the White House. 

The 64-year-old was greeted by US President Donald Trump. 

Speaking at the breakfast meeting, JD Vance showed off a pair of shamrock socks he had worn specifically for today's occasion. 

Micheál Martin praised Donald Trump for his "progress" in brokering peace since being re-elected president. 

The Taoiseach met US Vice President JD Vance at the US Naval Observatory for a breakfast meeting. 

The two exchanged pleasantries with Vance hailing Ireland-American relations as “one of the great alliances." 

Martin then added to this by saying that there was no greater example of "the strength of the US-Irish relationship" than in the peace process in Northern Ireland. 

He said that the "lasting peace we enjoy today on our island is a signature achievement of US foreign policy."

Martin continued that Ireland would "play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace in Ukraine or in the Middle East or wherever."

He added: “We welcome very much the unrelenting focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to this task from his very first days in office.

"And we welcome the progress that is clearly being made.”

Members of Enoch Burke's family, including parents Martina and Sean, have travelled to Washington ahead of Taoiseach Micheál Martin's big meeting with Donald Trump.

It comes just days after Elon Musk appeared to show support for Enoch Burke, retweeting a post on X about the school teacher that contained misleading information.

Due to Musk's status as a "special government employee" on account of his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), the Burke family's presence in Washington has created speculation that they may attend the St Patrick’s Day events in the White House.

This has not been confirmed, however.

Since 2022, Enoch Burke has spent over 500 days in prison.

This is for repeatedly violating orders to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is scheduled to attend a breakfast meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at 8.30am US time (12.30pm Irish time).

Martin will then visit the Oval Office to meet with US President Donald Trump at 10.45am US time (2.45pm Irish time).The pair will sit down in front of cameras before disappearing from public view to continue their discussion.

Martin will then speak to the media when the event wraps up at around 11.45am (3.45pm Irish time).

At 4pm US time (8pm Irish time), the traditional Shamrock ceremony will take place in the White House with Martin and Trump in attendance.

Also during the day, Martin will attend the US Friends of Ireland congressional luncheon.