Donald Trump says Ireland has done a good job in ‘luring’ US companies as he arrives at Doonbeg resort

The former US president was speaking to reporters as he arrived for a whistle-stop visit to his hotel and golf resort at Doonbeg in Co Clare this evening.

He was greeted by a line of hotel staff and a display of Irish music and dance.

Asked by reporters about US companies based in Ireland paying corporation tax here, Mr Trump said Ireland had “lured” companies to this country.

He was asked if he would prefer to see that tax paid in the US.

“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”.

Asked about the recent trip to Ireland of US President Joe Biden, Mr Trump said he “did not see much of his visit”.

“I don’t know what he did here.”

Mr Trump said his Trump International Golf Links and Hotel had “revitalised” west Clare. “People are happy,” he said

Meanwhile, Emma Fennell, of the John Fennell School of Set Dance, said it was a proud moment to be able to share something “that’s so precious to us” with “someone that we’re so proud of like the president”.

She said Mr Trump had talked to the dancers and was “delighted” with their performance.

“He was amazed at us, and he noticed people individually and he said, ‘well done’.

“And for the people that dance solo and everything. It was just fantastic. You couldn't ask for better.”

News that they would dance for Mr Trump was “very much last minute”.

“We found out over the weekend and we gathered up our troops. And we're lucky that we have such fantastic dancers that we could pick from and we had a quick practice last night and we went up to give it our best.”

The hotel had erected a stage in the courtyard outside for the performance which ‘very much impressed’ the former President.

“To meet him for real was surreal,” said Emma, adding that it had been a great experience.

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.

Trump bought the now-named Trump International golf resort and hotel in the coastal Clare village for an estimated €15m in 2014.

The former US President is expected to play golf, meet guests and staff during his short visit to Clare.

Preparations were under way with heightened security at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel.

An increased garda presence was visible on the beaches and roads around the golf course on the west coast of Ireland ahead of the former president’s arrival.

Armed units on quad bikes patrolled the nearby Doughmore Beach as road policing units were seen driving on routes to and from nearby towns.

Gardaí on motorbikes and a dog unit were also seen waiting at Mr Trump’s resort.

At the hotel, efforts were made to tidy up the exterior including the mowing of grass and the hanging of US flags.

Improved roadside barriers were also being constructed on one of the roadways into the hotel.

Mr Trump last visited the 400-acre resort while president in 2019.

Trump landed in Shannon from Scotland, where he visited another of his resorts, Turnberry. Scotland is also his mother’s ancestral home.

Meanwhile, he said the impasse over post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland will be a “tough one” to resolve but insisted “we have to work it out”.

The former US president commented on the deadlock at Stormont as he spoke to reporters on his arrival at the Clare resort earlier tonight.

Asked by the PA news agency for his view on efforts to resolve the long-running issue, Mr Trump said: “Well we’re going to see, they’re negotiating and we’re going to see, there are a lot of negotiations going on in Ireland and other places right now, but it’s going be a tough one.

“It’s not an easy one. We have to work it out.”