Pat Kenny was joined by TD Richard Boyd Barrett to discuss his cancer diagnosis and the Taoiseach's incoming visit to Washington DC.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd-Barrett has said the Taoiseach should not be attending the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the White House this year.

Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show on Sunday he said the President should not be given the benefit of credibility and the political benefits of celebrating the holiday with Micheál Martin given the United States’ ongoing war with Iran and its support of Israel’s war on Palestine.

“We just think it's crazy to legitimise Trump when he's threatening the world. I don't really see what's to be gained.

“But if he's going to do it, I think he should stay “stop arming the genocide”. He should say things very explicitly. I don’t think he will for a minute, but I think he should”.

He added: “He should absolutely stop this madness, this war, which is now not only threatening death and destruction across the Middle East, Iran, but is actually impacting everybody across the world. It's destabilising the entire global economy. You know, it's just a disaster and it's bringing us to a dangerous place.”

A protest defending Irish neutrality will be taking place in front of the Dáil on Wednesday.

Ahead of Daffodil Day, the TD, who was diagnosed with throat cancer two years ago, urged people to go to the doctor as soon as they feel like something is awry.

“There's no point in burying your head in the sand,” he told Newstalk.

“If you don't, there will be consequences because catching it early is absolutely critical.