Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the people of the US have made a very clear choice as he congratulated Donald Trump on his election as president on behalf of the people of Ireland.
In a statement earlier this morning, the Taoiseach said: "On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I am pleased to offer our sincere congratulations to Donald J Trump on his election as the 45th President of the United States."
Speaking to RTÉ News, Mr Kenny he said he has written formally to Mr Trump and his vice president Mike Pence to congratulate them and to stress that Ireland will continue to work very closely with the new administration.
He said Ireland has done over many years with different presidents in different administrations.
Asked about his comments earlier this year that some of Mr Trump's statements were racist and dangerous, the Taoiseach said he made a comment in the Dáil in respect of comments made by Mr Trump in the heat of a primary battle.
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Mr Kenny said he had listened very carefully to comments Mr Trump had made this morning and the first thing he said was that he wanted to build new relationships and heal wounds and to work in partnership with other countries and peoples.
Mr Kenny said Ireland falls into the category that Ireland wants to work very closely with the United States and they would work closely with the president and his new administration.
He said one element he pointed out in the letter he sent to Mr Trump and Mr Pence was that immigration reform is something that was of importance to Ireland and because of the new changes in the Senate and Congress, they will work closely with the Republican members there on hopefully seeing immigration reform being put back on the agenda.
In relation to Mr Trump's plans to cut US corporation tax to 15%, he said tax issues in respect of the United States are a matter for the US administration and corporate tax rates in Ireland are a matter for Irish Government as a member of the EU.
He said it is within Ireland’s competence to deal with it, so from that perspective he expects business to continue and continue very strongly.
In fact, he said, the investment line from the US into Ireland continues to be very strong.
The Taoiseach said the Government wants to see that it continues to develop for the future.
He added it is not just about tax but the quality and range of young people coming through to meet the emerging skills of the future.
He also said many countries in EU are changing their tax rates and that is within their competence as EU members.
"Ireland and the United States have enjoyed a very close and warm relationship for many generations and I am confident that under his leadership our bilateral relations will continue to prosper.
"Also, we think today of Hillary Clinton, a friend to Ireland who fought such a tough campaign."
He added: "We are all acutely conscious of the particular responsibility of the United States for leadership and engagement across the globe in our endeavours to address shared challenges.
"I look forward to working with the new administration in the time ahead in the cause of international peace and security."
Meanwhile, President Michael D Higgins has wished Mr Trump well on his election.
Speaking on a State visit to Vietnam, President Higgins said that over the next few weeks, governments will have an opportunity of dealing with the "different consequences" that will flow from the election result.
He said it was a "not-very-policy-oriented campaign" and that "all of us are interested in hearing the first outlines of the policies for the next few years".
President Higgins added that Ireland has a very strong connection with the United States and he conveyed his best wishes to the American people.
My congrats to US President elect & VP. I look forward to working with the incoming US administration in the interests of both our nations.
— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) November 9, 2016
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, meanwhile, has said we have to deal with the fact that the people in the US have spoken, whatever we think about it.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, Mr Adams said we have to work with Donald Trump and continue the focus on the peace process and the plight of the undocumented Irish.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said: "I would like to congratulate Mr Trump and his team on their victory in yesterday's US General Election.
"In his victory speech, Mr Trump said that he would move now to heal the wounds of the campaign and would govern for all. This is welcome. There will be much reflection on the dynamics of this campaign and the factors involved.
"There is no doubt that some of the policy positions articulated by Mr Trump during his campaign are a cause for concern for our interests, for example the renegotiation of trade agreements, his pursuit of US companies headquartered overseas and the position of undocumented Irish."
"It is important that as a country we move quickly to prepare our case to defend our interests. I sincerely hope that the long-standing and excellent relationship between Ireland and the USA will continue."
Labour leader Brendan Howlin this afternoon said: "Like many Irish people, and people all around the world, I went to bed last night feeling apprehensive, and woke up to realise that a nightmare had become a reality.
"A man who has, at every opportunity, sought to demean and belittle whole swathes of his society, has become the leader of the largest free nation in the world. That's a sobering reality."
He added, however, "as a democrat, I must and do respect the decision of the American people. They have voted for a man they believe will change things, and they have voted to say they are unhappy with the status quo. Across the western world, we need to reflect on that message."
Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have expressed hope that the North's long-standing relationship with the US would be strengthened during Mr Trump's time at the White House.
