Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said that she may not attend St Patrick's Day events in the White House.
The Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland did not attend the White House last year either.
Speaking to Sky News today, Ms O'Neill said her decision not to attend last year's events was based on the US role in Israel's war in Gaza.
"I decided last year that I wouldn't go in the context of the genocide that we see unfolding in Gaza," she said. "I believe that situation has deteriorated even further.
"International events are changing day by day, hour by hour, so that will be the factors that I take into account whenever the decision is made, and I'll say more about that in the coming weeks.
"But I'm very clear that the international community have failed. They've allowed Israel to act with impunity, they have failed to stop a genocide that was unfolding right in front of our eyes, and I think that when I reflect on what's happening there now, the situation, even from last year, has got even worse."
Ms O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly both visited the US for St Patrick's Day in 2024.
Last year, Ms O'Neill travelled to North Carolina for a business event, but returned home rather than go to Washington DC.
Ms Little-Pengelly did travel to Washington and spoke to US President Donald Trump during a lunch at Capitol Hill.
Additional reporting: PA
