Enda Kenny congratulates US Vice President-Elect Pence on electoral success
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has spoken to US Vice President-Elect Pence on the phone tonight,
During a 15-minute phone conversation, Mr Kenny congratulated the Vice President-Elect on his recent electoral success alongside Donald Trump.
According to a Government statement, Mr Kenny also expressed his intention to engage positively with the new administration on a number of issues to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the U.S.
It was said Mr Kenny raised the issue of the undocumented Irish in the U.S and expressed his determination to work with the President and Vice President-Elect in seeking a solution to the issue.
But chances of a resolution appear less likely under a Trump administration.
There is considerable disappointment in the Irish American community that little or no progress was made during President Barack Obama's two terms.
The Taoiseach is said to have referred to the economic ties between the two countries, including the long standing and productive relationship Ireland has with many US companies, as well as the fact that there are 100,000 Americans employed in Irish companies across America.
"Both men spoke of Vice President-Elect Pence's strong Irish heritage and the Taoiseach expressed the wish that the Vice President-Elect might visit here again sometime in the future," the statement added.
Mr Kenny was one of the first leaders to speak to Mr Trump following his election victory earlier this month.
This is despite describing the President-elect as a racist earlier this year.
Had a really good conversation tonight with US VP Elect Mike Pence. He certainly knows Ireland and the issues that matter to our people.
— Enda Kenny (@EndaKennyTD) November 18, 2016
