US 'loves and admires' Ireland, JD Vance tells Taoiseach ahead of Trump meeting

'In the Republican Party, of course, we revere Ronald Reagan, a great Irishman and a great president of the United States,' Mr Vance said

US vice president JD Vance greets Taoiseach Micheál Martin during a breakfast at the Naval Observatory, his residence in Washington DC, as part of a visit to the US for St Patrick's Day. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has urged US vice president JD Vance to visit Ireland, as the two leaders sat down for breakfast on St Patrick’s Day ahead of Mr Martin's meeting with Donald Trump later today. 

Mr Martin and his wife Mary were greeted by Mr Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance at the US Naval Observatory.