Taoiseach shares his 'count to 10' rule when 'something gets said from the Oval Office'

On the podcast, Taoiseach Micheál Martin also said the presidency is not on the horizon for him.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has spoken of the “count to 10 rule” he adopts when dealing with the Oval Office.

On a new podcast hosted by former president Mary McAleese and broadcaster Mary Kennedy, Mr Martin spoke “frankly” about Mr Trump and Irish-American relations.

In Changing Times — The Allenwood Conversations, he recounted his meeting with US president Donald Trump and explained the "count to 10" rule.

“He was gracious … and, in a nice way, made it very clear he had issues with us on pharmaceuticals. ‘We love very smart people who took all our pharmaceuticals', he said.

“I think Europe and all of us just need to count to 10 every time something gets said from the Oval Office… 

It’s very important that we try and discern a pattern of behaviour

Mr Martin described the modern Oval Office media strategy as “a new form of political messaging”, tailored not for policy but “for the base”. He also stressed the ongoing strategic importance of Irish America, describing the constituency as “still very potent” in both cultural and electoral terms.

“No other nation gets that kind of access on St Patrick’s Day — 600 people in one room with the president and vice president. It’s a reminder of the unique footprint we still hold,” Mr Martin said.

'A difficult journey'

The Taoiseach also said the presidency is not on the horizon for him.

“If I wanted to be president, I would not have run for the Dáil or become Taoiseach.” 

And when it comes to reports Conor McGregor would potentially run for president, Mr Martin said he is not sure “what the agenda is”.

“It’s a difficult journey. You need four county councils or 20 TDs. I’m not so sure what the agenda is — whether he really is or isn’t interested.” 

The conversation also delved into Mr Martin’s personal life, including the deaths of two of his children – Ruairí and Léana.

“You don’t ever get over that. Ever,” he said.

The Taoiseach revealed that he considered leaving politics entirely at the time, adding: “Mary said to me later: ‘You do realise you were thinking of packing it in?’ And I probably was. But you keep going — for the living. You keep going.”

Mr Martin also spoke of his upbringing in Cork, mentioning a lesson from his dad which stayed with him.

We were the first generation to benefit from free second-level education … education was everything

"My father never left a child on the side of the road. That stuck with me,” he said.

You can listen to the episode on Tuesday, April 8, on all major podcast platforms. Produced by Enda Grace of Dundara Television and Media, the series is in its second season.