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Mike Pence to arrive in Ireland earlier than expected

The US Vice President will arrive in Ireland earlier than planned next week. Mike Pence was due t...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

18.18 30 Aug 2019


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Mike Pence to arrive in Irelan...

Mike Pence to arrive in Ireland earlier than expected

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

18.18 30 Aug 2019


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The US Vice President will arrive in Ireland earlier than planned next week.

Mike Pence was due to meet the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Friday – but the visit has been brought forward and the pair will now meet on Tuesday.

Mr Pence is arriving in Europe earlier than expected because he has been drafted in to replace President Donald Trump on a state visit to Poland.

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The president cancelled the visit in order to monitor the impact of Hurricane Dorian, which is set to hit Florida in the coming days.

Mr Pence is now expected at Shannon Airport on Monday evening before travelling to Dublin on Tuesday.

He will leave the country on Wednesday.

It comes amid concern about the cost of VIP visits to the State.

President Trump’s recent visit cost the Exchequer over €10m and the Garda Representative Association has warned that the visits are draining Garda resources.

Security analyst Tom Clonan said there are many other areas that could benefit from that kind of money.

“In 2016, when the Hutch Kinahan feud came to a kind of climax, Frances Fitzgerald announced a major investment in policing in Dublin with a new Armed Response Unit,” he said.

“That was to cost €5m – the initial cost was €5m – so just think what [Garda Commissioner] Drew Harris could with the €10m or €12m that will be spent on Mike Pence security of Donald Trump’s security.

“It could really have an impact.”

Vice President Pence will also meet with the President Michael D Higgins and the US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Crawford during the visit.


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