Actually, his first visit to Ireland as Mr Trump's envoy was rescheduled several times as pandemic controversies in Ireland scuppered two potential dates. Mr Mulvaney insisted he is constantly in touch with others in the administration and has had "long conversations" about the history of the Troubles with Mr Trump. Mr Mulvaney, Mr Trump's former White House chief of staff, is a proud Irish-American and no stranger to these shores. Separately in his meeting with Mr Mulvaney, Mr Coveney emphasised Ireland's "real concern" at the current approach of the UK government. Mr Trump faces his rival, former vice-president Joe Biden, in the first presidential election debate tonight.

Source: Irish Independent September 29, 2020 01:30 UTC