Taoiseach Micheál Martin has congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the US presidential election.
Mr Biden is set to become the 46th president of the United States after a long and drawn out election, with incumbent Donald Trump refusing to accept defeat.
Mr Biden’s victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as election officials sorted through a surge of postal votes that delayed the processing of some ballots. Mr Biden crossed 270 electoral college votes with a win in Pennsylvania.
Mr Martin was quick off the mark to congratulate Mr Biden on his victory.
In a reference to Mr Biden's Irish roots, the Taoiseach said he was looking forward to welcoming Mr Biden "back home".
He wrote: "I want to congratulate the new President Elect of the USA @JoeBiden. Joe Biden has been a true friend of this nation throughout his life and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead. I also look forward to welcoming him back home when the circumstances allow!"
I want to congratulate the new President Elect of the USA @JoeBiden Joe Biden has been a true friend of this nation throughout his life and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead. I also look forward to welcoming him back home when the circumstances allow! 🇮🇪 🇺🇸
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 7, 2020
Other Irish politicans also took to Twitter to congratulate Mr Biden.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar wrote: "Congratulations @joebiden and @kamalaharris Our world needs American leadership and true American values. We know you can give it. Hope you can both make it to Ireland soon."
Congratulations @joebiden and @kamalaharris. Our world needs American leadership and true American values. We know you can give it. Hope you can both make it to Ireland soon ♥️🇮🇪🇺🇸 KamalaHarris
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) November 7, 2020
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris wrote: "Congratulations Mr President-Elect -a man of decency with deep Irish roots. Great to see a Harris going to the White House with you! @KamalaHarris-1st female Vice President of the US. Historic moment & one I will tell my little girl all about. You can be whatever you want to be!"
Congratulations Mr President-Elect -a man of decency with deep Irish roots. Great to see a Harris going to the White House with you!@KamalaHarris-1st female Vice President of the US. Historic moment & one I will tell my little girl all about. You can be whatever you want to be! pic.twitter.com/rn1hVmwapB
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) November 7, 2020
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney paid tribute to Mr Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris in separate tweets.
Congratulations to @JoeBiden on becoming the 46th President elect of the #USA. We look forward to working with a #BidenHarris presidency to sustain & strengthen Irish American relations, and so much more. 🇺🇸🇮🇪🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/ld2Vk0XaFr
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) November 7, 2020
Congratulations @KamalaHarris on making history with @JoeBiden - you have many friends outside of the #USA waiting to work with you to support American leadership on #multilateralism #Climate #Covid #IrishAmerica #PeaceBuilding #UNSC https://t.co/756lVlAOuX
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) November 7, 2020
