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          <span class="ui-media-caption__caption-text" data-role="caption-text">Sinn Fein to boycott White House event</span>
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Prime Minister Micheal Martin is expected to visit the Oval Office, facing an awkward encounter with the U.S. president.

President Trump owns a golf course in Ireland, which he referenced during a recent meeting with the British Prime Minister, grouping it with his UK properties.

Taoiseach Martin’s planned breakfast with JD Vance poses another potential challenge.

Vance had previously sparked controversy by making comments that some considered dismissive of countries with no recent history of military conflict, which might include Ireland.

Ireland is neutral and has never participated in foreign wars. Notably, it also lacks the military capabilities that Vance suggested were necessary.

Ireland has one of the lowest levels of defense spending in the European Union, at roughly 0.2% of GDP.

The minimum spending level required for NATO members is 2%, with Trump having called for an increase to 5%. However, Ireland is not a NATO member.

Ireland is trying to adapt to the Trump administration’s stance on the defense of Europe, but Defense Minister Simon Harris admits there is a lot of work to be done.

Increasing Irish defense capabilities is challenging due to the country’s constitutional neutrality, membership in the European Union, and the complexities of Northern Ireland’s relationship with the UK.

Harris, also the leader of Fine Gael and deputy prime minister, is pushing for the development of defense capabilities that align with NATO standards.

Plans include increasing the number of troops and naval vessels, responding to incursions by Russian vessels in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Additionally, Ireland is considering acquiring fighter jets and renaming the Irish Air Corps to the Irish Air Force, to enhance its defense capabilities.

Funding for these ventures is secured, thanks to Ireland’s robust economy, one of the few in Europe not currently struggling.

Despite enhancing its defense force, Ireland’s ability to contribute significantly to international defense efforts remains uncertain.

Historically, Irish military engagements have been limited to peacekeeping missions, with significant contributions to UN peacekeeping forces such as UNIFIL in Lebanon.

However, Russia’s veto power in the UN Security Council has complicated Ireland’s ability to deploy troops in areas of conflict.

The Irish government is now considering changes to its “triple lock” policy, which restricts deployments of troops abroad without approval from the UN Security Council, the Dáil Éireann parliament, and the government.

The deployment cap may be raised, and the UN’s role in approval processes reduced, reflecting changing global dynamics and Ireland’s evolving security challenges.