The White House has said the “family lunch” the US Vice President is attending with the Taoiseach and his partner this afternoon shows that he is not “anti-gay.”
Mike Pence and his wife Karen will join Leo Varadkar and his partner Matthew Barrett for lunch at Farmleigh House this afternoon.
Mr Varadkar has said he will use the meeting to spell out the threat Brexit poses to the Irish peace process.
Vice President Pence is meeting with the President Michael D Higgins at 11am this morning before attending a family lunch with the Taoiseach at Farmleigh.
He has face criticism in the past over his views on abortion and LGBTQ rights; however, White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deer said the meeting proves he is not “anti-gay.”
For all of you who still think our @VP is anti-gay, I point you to his and the @SecondLady’s schedule tomorrow where they will join Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and his partner Dr. Matthew Barrett for lunch in Ireland. 🇮🇪 @merrionstreet pic.twitter.com/Cj5kMpln0U
— Judd Deere 45 Archived (@JuddPDeere45) September 3, 2019
The US vice president arrived at Shannon Airport yesterday afternoon where he held a brief meeting with the Tánaiste.
He told Simon Coveney that he values the Good Friday Agreement and the involvement of the US in securing it.
He said it must be protected when the UK leaves the EU.
Air Force Two made the journey from Shannon to Dublin this morning.
Air Force Two on the tarmac at Shannon Airport. Image: Julian BehalSpeaking yesterday, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Vice President Pence is a “real friend of Ireland” – adding that he would use the meeting to “spell out” the threat posed to the island by Brexit.
“As you know the US administration is quite well-disposed toward Brexit and you have heard what President Trump has said about that.
“I am going to use the opportunity tomorrow just to spell out to him and explain to him a little bit better what the consequences might be for Ireland in the hope that message will go back to the administration.”
Hey @VP Mike Pence, you might have heard we’re having a disco outside the Dáil tomorrow at 1pm when you’re here, and you’re invited! 🎉
Come and see what it means to be Irish these days - we are a country that wants to love and accept people! pic.twitter.com/ypQJcBPPAm— Amnesty Ireland (@AmnestyIreland) September 2, 2019
Meanwhile, protesters will dance outside the Dáil this afternoon to protest the American’s arrival.
Organised by Amnesty International, the 'Disco at the Dáil' demonstration called is taking place at 1pm.
Amnesty spokesperson Kieran Clifford said the event will show the vice president what Irish values mean.
“Ireland has made some great steps in the right direction over the last number of years as a very progressive and inclusive democracy,” she said.
“That is the message we want to send to Vice President Pence – this is what Ireland is today and if he truly wants to embrace his Irish roots, that is part of it.”
The Vice President and his family will be staying at the Trump Resort in Doonbeg for the duration of their stay.
He has family connections in County Clare.
They are due to fly out of Shannon Airport tomorrow.
