Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. The nature of these meetings is such that they tend to last approximately 35 to 40 minutes. In that period one may want to raise 20 matters and one tries to get through as many as possible. Often one can get through a lot, sometimes not so many. As the meetings to which the Deputies referred were neither recorded nor televised, I appreciate that their knowledge of what was discussed is limited and that they are not fully informed. I am therefore happy to use this opportunity to inform them about some of the things that were discussed in those meetings.

In the meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office, migration was discussed and I did tell him about Ireland's commitment to the European Union and our commitment to free trade and free enterprise and values such as human rights and multilateralism. During my engagement with Vice President Pence and Mrs. Pence we discussed LGBT issues, freedoms and rights, and they very kindly asked about my partner and suggested he would be very welcome in their home should we visit again. I thought that was a very kind gesture. There were no discussions of the attack in Salisbury at either meeting.

Other issues were covered by public speeches, of which Deputies will be aware. In general, when it comes to meeting any prime minister or president, any head of state or government, people endeavour to do three things. The first is to try to form some form of personal relationship on the basis that they will probably speak again, whether in a meeting or over the phone. The second is to find some areas where they have common cause. The third is to find areas where there is difference. That is the way I approach my interactions with almost anyone, not just prime ministers and presidents. First, I try to strike up some form of relationship with a bit of an ice-breaker and we talk to each other. Second, we talk about the areas where we find common cause and on which we are aligned. Then we look at the areas where we disagree. Then one sees if it is possible to convince the other person of one's view or to find some sort of compromise. I appreciate that other people's approach to politics does not involve this and that it is just about shouting at people, throwing mud at them, beating them down and so on. However, I am glad to say that is not my approach to politics.

I would absolutely welcome a special envoy to Northern Ireland. Any US interest in Northern Ireland is welcome. I very much welcome the input from Peter King and Richard Neal, whom I had the chance to get to know for the first time when I was in the United States. The value in having an envoy would be to have someone who could be the eyes and ears for the White House and to a lesser extent Congress in Northern Ireland reporting back to them accurately what is going on rather than just relying on the Irish Government assessment, the British Government assessment or the assessment of the different parties. Having their own eyes and ears on the ground in Northern Ireland would be of real value. However, my priority is that we should have an envoy to Ireland, which would be the appointment of an ambassador. If the White House is looking for people to send to Ireland, I ask that they prioritise the appointment of a permanent ambassador, but both would certainly be welcome.

Tariffs on steel and aluminium were discussed in the meeting with President Trump and in all the meetings with congressional leaders. Congressional leaders tend to be free traders. President Trump is not a free trader. His position is more protectionist, more socialist, in my view-----

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