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Vance hails Irish-US ties with shamrock footwear

- DAVID YOUNG

US VICE PRESIDENT JD Vance has hailed the “great alliance” with Ireland as the opening meeting with Micheal Martin set the tone for an aggravation-free day at the White House.

There had been fears that Mr Vance who had been combative towards Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelenskyy during the infamous clash two weeks ago - would repeat the dose with the Taoiseach.

However, a completely different atmosphere was on show as the vice president and his wife, Usha, welcomed Mr Martin and his wife, Mary, to their official residence for a breakfast meeting.

Mr Vance exchanged jokes and pleasantries with the Taoiseach as he said he expected the two nations to work together on AI.