By Greg Murphy

Senator Aodhan O'Riordáin has given an impassioned speech in the Seanad in reaction the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

He said he was "embarrassed" by the reaction of the Irish Government and repeatedly asked if the best we could do was ask "whether it was ok to still bring the shamrock on St Patrick's Day".

"I'm embarrassed by the reaction of the Irish Government to what's happened in America. I can't believe the reaction from An Taoiseach and the Government," he said.

"America has just elected a fascist, and the best thing good people in Ireland can do is to ring him up and ask him is it ok to still bring the shamrock on St Patricks Day.

Mr O'Riordáin went on to quote the contrasting and conditional reaction from Angela Merkel to Mr Trump's election.

In her statement she said: "Germany and America are connected by values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and dignity of man.

"Independent of origin, skin-colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views. I offer the next president of the United States close cooperation on the basis of these values."