The White House has announced details of next week's virtual meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US President Joe Biden.
According to the statement, the two leaders will reaffirm the deep, historic partnership and "extraordinary people-to-people ties" between the United States and Ireland on 17 March.
They will also discuss combating Covid-19, addressing global challenges, increasing shared prosperity, and supporting political and economic stability in Northern Ireland.
"Although the pandemic prevents the traditional White House celebration of St Patrick’s Day this year, we look forward to marking this holiday and our close relationship with Ireland in a safe way," the statement concludes.
The @WhiteHouse says Wednesday's St Patrick’s Day virtual meeting between @JoeBiden & @MichealMartinTD will reaffirm the deep, historic partnership and extraordinary people-to-people ties between the United States and Ireland. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/0iadKQKbFj
— Brian O'Donovan (@BrianOD_News) March 12, 2021
Traditionally, a bowl of shamrock is presented to the White House incumbent every year on 17 March by a visiting taoiseach.
Earlier this month, President Biden praised the contributions of Irish immigrants saying that they had helped define America's soul and shaped the country's success across generations.
As is tradition in the US, March has been designated Irish-American Heritage Month.
Micheál Martin declared that Joe Biden would be a "true friend of Ireland" when he was sworn in as the 46th US president on 20 January.
"It is a day of history and hope and I look forward to forging ever closer ties between our two great nations," the Taoiseach said.
Meanwhile, Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher has written to President Biden asking him to consider sharing his country's stockpiled AstraZeneca vaccines with other countries, including Ireland.
The Fianna Fáil politician said he had also written to Micheál Martin, requesting that he raises the issue with Mr Biden on St Patrick's Day.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki previously told reporters: "A number of countries... have requested doses from the United States and we have not provided doses from the US government to anyone."
