The Taoiseach has said he will use his meeting with the US Vice President Mike Pence to outline the threat Brexit poses to Ireland.

Vice President Pence is due to arrive at Shannon Airport this afternoon.

He will be greeted by the Tánaiste Simon Coveney and the pair will hold a brief meeting.

Tomorrow he will travel to Dublin to meet President Michael D Higgins, before lunch and a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Speaking today, Mr Varadkar said he hopes to bring his parents and partner to the meeting.

“Vice President Pence who is very welcome to Ireland is bringing his family with him,” he said.

“So what we are hoping to have tomorrow is a family lunch involving my parents and my partner.”

"Real friend"

He said Mr Pence is a “real friend of Ireland.”

“He is somebody who comes from an Irish background; somebody whose father fought in the civil war and somebody who I hope I can speak to tomorrow about 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.”

After the meeting, Vice President Pence is expected to head to Doonbeg in County Clare before flying out on Wednesday morning.

Disco at the Dáil

Protesters are due to gather outside Leinster house ahead of his arrival in Dublin.

Organised by Amnesty International, the 'Disco at the Dáil' demonstration called is taking place at 1pm.

The charity said it is holding the event to protest Mr Pence's policies and views on LGBT issues.

Additional security measures are in place around Shannon Airport from now until 12pm on Wednesday.