Simon Harris and Donald Trump discuss Ukraine and Middle East in first call

The Taoiseach congratulated Mr Trump on his comprehensive victory in the US election.

President-elect Trump extended his best wishes to the people of Ireland and he and the Taoiseach agreed to stay in touch

Taoiseach Simon Harris has congratulated US president-elect Donald Trump during a phone conversation on Monday.

During the 20-minute call, the two reflected on the “strong and enduring ties” between the two countries and Mr Harris "wished the president well".

Speaking shortly after the conversation ended, Mr Harris said that he did not raise his concerns regarding potential transatlantic trade shocks as this was "an initial conversation" and Mr Trump has not yet taken office.

Mr Trump has "an understanding" that the US and Ireland have a two-way relationship when it comes to trade, Mr Harris said while canvassing in Co Donegal.

"He spoke fondly of his experience doing business in Ireland himself and referenced Doonbeg," Mr Harris said. "I did make the point to the president-elect that the US and the EU obviously need to work together on so many issues — economic, humanitarian and bringing peace to the world."

They also spoke about the ongoing violence in both Ukraine and the Middle East with Mr Harris saying the world is a "very grim and dark place at the moment".

"I outlined to him the situation that I had seen there in Kyiv. How people are really suffering, how there were serious energy supplies issues and how there were children displaced," the Taoiseach said.

In terms of the Middle East, Mr Harris said: "I also expressed my wish to him that we would see an ending of the loss of any life".

No formal plans have been made for the two men to meet but Mr Trump expressed that he hopes to see Mr Harris in person and hoped to visit Ireland again soon.

It marked the first conversation between the pair although Mr Harris released a statement last week when news of Mr Trump's victory broke.

On Monday, Mr Harris said that Mr Trump won the election and we now have clarity in relation to the political outcome in the US. In recent days, counting finished in all of the seven swing states and Mr Trump won each of them.

Mr Trump did not offer the current Taoiseach any election tips as he campaigns across the country ahead of the people going to the polls on November 29.