Simon Coveney: US St Patrick's Day invitation 'significant'

Update 10am: Housing Minister Simon Coveney this morning said the invitation by US President Elect Trump to the Taoiseach to visit the White House next March for St Patrick’s Day is significant.

Simon Coveney: US St Patrick's Day invitation 'significant'

Update 10am: Housing Minister Simon Coveney this morning said the invitation by US President Elect Trump to the Taoiseach to visit the White House next March for St Patrick’s Day is significant.

Mr Coveney added that it was a major signal of reassurance that business between the Ireland and the United States would continue.

The minister was speaking after Taoiseach Enda Kenny spoke with President Elect Trump for 10 minutes by phone last night.

He acknowledged given Mr Kenny’s description of Mr Trump as a racist, there was concern that Ireland’s standing in Washington would diminish.

Mr Coveney said: “Of course there are a lot of people concerned. A lot of what was said during this Presidential campaign was very bitter, nasty and concerned a lot of people.

“What we need to do now is judge the president-elect on his comments as president-elect.”

The Minister said Ireland had such an important relationship with the US and it needed to reinforce and maintain that.

Mr Coveney said people may not forget the comments of Mr Trump during the presidential campaign. However, he said the decision has been by the American people.

The Minister said Ireland needed to focus on the relationship going forward rather than looking back.

In a statement from Government Buildings, it was confirmed that Mr Kenny spoke by phone with US President Elect Donald Trump.

“During a 10 minute conversation the Taoiseach congratulated Mr. Trump on his electoral success and both men committed to working together to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United States,” the statement said.

“The President Elect confirmed to the Taoiseach that in the spirit of the strong ties between the two countries, the long standing tradition of Taoisigh attending the White House for St. Patrick's Day celebrations would continue and extended an invitation to the Taoiseach in that regard for next year 2017,” the statement added.

Earlier: Taoiseach Enda Kenny has spoken with US President Elect Donald Trump.

The Taoiseach held a ten minute phone call with Mr Trump last night, with both men committing to working for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

They also confirmed that the long standing tradition of the Taoiseach visiting the White House on St Patrick's Day will continue.

Meanwhile protests have been taking place overnight in the US after the shock election of Donald Trump.

Demonstrators have been chanting and holding up banners saying 'Not Our President'.

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