Taoiseach defends presence in New York parade

The Taoiseach has defended his decision to march in today’s St Patrick’s Day parade in New York — despite its exclusion of gay groups — saying it will be a “good occasion” because of the “extraordinary connection between Ireland and the United States”.

Enda Kenny yesterday met with the Boston mayor, Marty Walsh, who refused to take part in his city’s parade after talks with its organisers failed to reach a deal that would allow gay and lesbian activists to march openly.

“So much of our Irish history has been shaped by the fight against oppression, ” said Mr Walsh, who is Boston’s first Irish-American Mayor in 20 years.

Standing with Mr Walsh after a breakfast attended by more than 1,000 members of the Irish community in Boston yesterday, the Taoiseach was asked why he would not do likewise and boycott the New York parade, which will not allow any symbols of gay rights. “I don’t have any control over the conditions that are laid down by the organisers of the parade,” he said. “From my point of view, I accepted the invitation and am happy to walk in it.”

Mr Walsh interjected to say there is a “different situation” between the Boston and New York parades.

“We’ve had a lot of negotiations over the years,” said Mr Walsh. “In New York, there hasn’t been negotiation in a while. So it’s a little different between the two parades.”

Mr Walsh — whose parents emigrated from Galway in the 1950s — said missing the parade was not a difficult decision for him, despite his proud Irish heritage. “What it came down to was being able to have a banner with a sign on it, ‘LGBT’. That’s what it came down to in Boston. Everyone was agreed on all the other terms. I think if marching in a parade, you should be allowed to carry that.”

Mr Kenny will begin St Patrick’s Day in New York with a breakfast in Gracie Mansion — the home of the city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, who is boycotting his city’s parade in solidarity with the gay community.

As the controversy threatened to overshadow the Taoiseach’s visit to the city as part of his six-day trip to the US, he defended his decision to participate and his Government’s record on gay rights.

“The New York parade is one of the oldest in the world, with half a million people marching in it,” said Mr Kenny.

“Clearly, from Ireland’s point of view, as you know, Government has committed to holding a referendum on the question of gay marriage next year. I think that speaks to the opportunity that Government are going to give for people to approve of the question to be asked in our Constitution next year. So, from that point of view, obviously the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York, with our extraordinary connection between Ireland and the United States, and let’s hope it’s a good occasion.”

The Taoiseach will march alongside the New York GAA to help commemorate their centenary. The parade is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the association.

A group including many gay rights groups, drag artist Panti Bliss, senators David Norris and Katherine Zappone, and Independent TDs Clare Daly and John Halligan, have written a letter to the Taoiseach urging him to boycott today’s parade.