Trump suggests second meeting with Taoiseach at Doonbeg

The US President criticised the EU for slowing down his expansion plans at the Clare site.

The pair met in the Oval Office of the White House yesterday as part of the Shamrock celebrations for St Patrick's Day.

At yesterday's press conference, President Trump suggested that another meeting between him and the Taoiseach be held at his Doonbeg resort.

Asked whether he would visit the county Clare club during his second term as President, he answered, ‘I hope soon’.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin highlighted that President Trump is the only US President to have made personal investments in Ireland.

"And it’s been a good investment," replied the 78-year-old.

Mr Martin praised the Doonbeg project, calling it 'stunning’.

"If you don’t play golf. I mean, it is stunning," said Mr Martin.

He added: "Your people have restored it pretty well, and our people are going to continue to work with you on that piece to do it all sort of effectively, and so on. And the local people."

The US President slammed the European Union for inhibiting his plans to expand the resort.

He revealed that he wanted to expand the club, saying he 'got the approvals from Ireland so quickly', but that his advisors notified him of unspecified problems encountered with EU law.

"They said, 'Sir, you also have to get approved by the European Union', I said, 'Why do I have to go to the European Union to expand a hotel that’s in Ireland?' They said, 'Well, that’s the way it is'. I say, 'Well, shouldn’t that go fast?' They said, 'No, it’ll take at least seven years'," explained President Trump.

"I’m not happy with the European Union. I want to tell you. And we’re going to win that. We’re going to win that financial battle," he added.