Kenny congratulates Trump ‘on behalf of the people of Ireland’

US PRESIDENT ELECT Donal J Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States.

An Taoiseach ‘looks forward to working with the new administration’

Michael Duffy

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has this morning congratulated Donald J Trump on his election as the 45th president of the United States.
Deputy Kenny sent his congratulations to the victorious trump ‘on behalf of the people of Ireland’.
“Ireland and the United States have enjoyed a very close and warm relationship for many generations and I am confident that under his leadership our bilateral relations will continue to prosper,” said An Taoiseach, adding that “we think today of [defeated Democrat candidate] Hillary Clinton, a friend to Ireland who fought such a tough campaign.”
An Taoiseach continued: “We are acutely conscious of the particular responsibility of the United States for leadership and engagement across the globe in our endeavours to address shared challenges. I look forward to working with the new administration in the time ahead in the cause of international peace and security.”
He also mentioned his hope of working with Trump on the contentious issue of immigration reform, which may have huge implications for thousands of Irish in America.
“I also intend to work closely with the new Administration and newly elected United States Congress to pursue comprehensive immigration reform, an issue that is so important to tens of thousands of Irish people who are making a major contribution to America.
“I also want to congratulate the President-Elect’s running mate, Mr Mike Pence, on his election as Vice-President. The Vice President-elect is a proud Irish American who spent many summers in Ireland as a child.”
Deputy Kenny stated that the Government was looking forward to working closely with its new colleagues in the White House. “In the meantime, the Government will continue to engage actively and constructively with the administration of President Obama, until he completes his term on January 20,” he concluded.