Former US president Donald Trump has said Ireland has done a good job "luring" American companies to the country.
He was speaking to reporters after his arrival at his golf course outside Doonbeg in Co Clare.
Mr Trump was greeted by a line of staff at the hotel and a display of Irish music and dance.
Speaking to reporters, he said the staff had "done a great job" and the course had "become a big success".
Asked by reporters if he would prefer to see the corporation tax being paid by US companies in Ireland, instead being paid in the US, he said: "I won't answer that question in your country, a lot of people would say yes.
"But Ireland has done a good job, you've lured a lot of companies in. They love it here, they really love it here.
"They've been treated well just like I've been treated well. This has been a great success."
Mr Trump arrived at Shannon Airport from Aberdeen in Scotland after flying on a Boeing 757 with Trump livery. The aircraft known as Trump Force One came in to land shortly after 6.30pm.
Garda members from the Armed Support Unit were on standby ahead of his arrival, while what appeared to be members of the Secret Service were seen arriving in black cars near the entrance to the airport's apron.
There were no local dignitaries in attendance on this low key private visit.
Mr Trump is accompanied by his son Eric and a cavalcade of vehicles waited on the ground to take the entourage to Doonbeg.
Asked about how the relationship between the United States and Ireland will progress, Eric Trump said: "When Donald Trump is president again, it’s going to be better than ever before - and he will be president again."
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney said people should "respect" the fact the former US president is in Ireland on a private visit amid ongoing division over his arrival.
Speaking to reporters at a 1916 commemoration event in Arbour Hill cemetery in Dublin, the Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central said Mr Trump's "investment" into Doonbeg in Co Clare should be "recognised".
More than 300 people are employed in and around the former US president's golf and hotel resort in the location, he added.
Asked about concerns from some sections of society over his visit to Ireland, Minister Coveney said: "I think people in Doonbeg recognise the investment the Trump family have made in the resort there. It's been emphasised this trip is a private visit, and I think we should respect that."
Mr Trump and his family own the 18 hole links course and hotel in Doonbeg since 2014, where up to 300 people are employed, and which is a popular location for US golf visitors and for weddings.
The visit is taking place at a time when he is facing multiple investigations back in the US.
Last month, he became the first former US president in history to face criminal charges.
His visit also comes just weeks after his successor, and likely 2024 contender, US President Joe Biden, took part in a four-day visit to the island of Ireland.
When asked at his golf resort how his trip to Ireland was going compared with President Biden's visit, Mr Trump said: "I imagine it's much better."
Mr Trump will stay overnight at his resort, where he was due to meet business clients, hotel staff and play a round of golf, before returning to the US tomorrow.
He confirmed he would golf at Doonbeg tomorrow and referred to potential expansion plans.
"Yeah, I'm going play golf and we’re going to do some work and we’re looking at some expansion," he said.
The US embassy in Dublin described it as a private visit and said, as with all former presidents, it has no role as Mr Trump is now a private citizen.
According to hotel management, the Trump resort at Doonbeg had its busiest year of visitors last year, where it benefitted from the huge pent up demand for international travel among US golf enthusiasts, once the restrictions of the Covid pandemic were lifted on both sides of the Atlantic, and projected visitor numbers are also looking very encouraging this year.
The resort brings additional hospitality and visitor business to the nearby village of Doonbeg and Kilkee and the town of Kilrush, supporting jobs in the pubs, restaurant and chauffer businesses of West Clare, where tourism is an important employer.
Owner of the busy shop in the village Rita McInerney said the business the resort brings to the locality is welcome.
She said people in the area do not always agree with Mr Trump's politics, and can separate themselves from that, but are supportive of the business and employment it brings to the area.
She is one of a group of members of the local coastal protection group in Doonbeg who were due to meet the former president this evening to discuss what ongoing efforts are under way by the Trump company to curb the considerable damage already caused by storms and climate change to a number of the greens at the resort.
A major storm in 2014, along with a number of severe winter storms since then have caused major erosion at Doughmore beach along which the resort is built.
Efforts to build coast defences systems and other infrastructure to stop that damage, including marram grass and beach fences to protect the sand dunes have met with court battles.
A plan by the Trump resort to build a wall of rock armour as a coastal defence was thrown out by the planning board in 2020.
Mr Trump last visited the 400-acre resort in Doonbeg, which he bought in 2014, while president in 2019.
A heightened garda presence was visible around the resort and neighbouring towns and villages, including armed patrol units.
'The 757 is one of a kind'
Earlier, plane spotters took up position at key vantage points around Shannon Airport in anticipation of the arrival of the former US president's aircraft.
Paul Doyle from Dublin and Brian Griffin from Carlow travelled to Clare especially to see the Trump aircraft.
Mr Griffin said it is worth the trip: "The 757 is one a kind and we don't see it too often this side of the pond. Obviously, Donald Trump's VIP interior is different to the others because it's very lavishly decorated and more famous because of its owner!"
Mr Doyle said the arrival of a Mexican airforce jet has made the trip even more worthwhile.
"This 737 has come from France and is refuelling here at Shannon. Seeing this aircraft coming into land and watching it taxiing on the runway before it takes off again is a bonus for anoraks like us!"
Additional reporting Teresa Mannion, Cathy Halloran
