The Finance Minister believes the Taoiseach should travel to the United States to meet President Joe Biden for the annual St Patrick's Day tradition.
It's not clear whether the event will go ahead, or if an invitation will be issued due to covid-19.
Micheal Martin has said the virus could dictate whether or not he is able to travel to the White House for the March event.
It would mark the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since President Biden was sworn into office earlier this month.
Minister Paschal Donohoe says the annual White House visit is very much an essential journey
"The economic and political benefits of the ongoing engagement that we have had with the US is so important to our country. If I was to look at what the definition of essential travels are - one of them would be meeting the US President for the betterment of our country."
"If that event is happening the Taoiseach, I believe, should be at it".
