SOCIAL Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has described previous remarks by US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump as "sexist" and "misognyistic".

Mr Varadkar was speaking after Taoiseach Enda Kenny labelled some of the US businessman's speeches as "racist" and dangerous".

Speaking ahead of a book launch in Dublin City, Mr Varadkar hit out at Mr Trump.

"I think any reasonable person would agree some of the comments he's made are racist, particularly in relation to latinos and also many of the things he has said are sexist," Mr Varadkar told reporters.

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"And don't show a positive attitude towards women. But ultimately it is up to American citizens to determine who their President is. But I know how most Irish people would vote.

"It's up to American citizens to decide who they elect as president...we will of course work with whoever Americans decide to elect as President. But I don't think there can be any doubt that many of the speeches he has made were racist and showed a very misogynistic attitude to women."

Mr Kenny had earlier described comments by US Presidential candidate Donald Trump as “racist and dangerous”.

The Taoiseach went much further in the Dáil today in statements about the Republican frontrunner than the more conciliatory tone he struck in the US last month.

Asked for his views on Mr Trump while in Washington, Mr Kenny said it was not for him to comment on who the next President should be.

He described the battle between Mr Trump and Hillary Clinton as “a matter for the American electorate" but admitted the debate has been "very provocative and divisive".

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However, in the Dáil this afternoon Richard Boyd Barrett of the Anti-Austerity Alliance asked Mr Kenny if he would be happy with the continued use of Shannon Airport by the US Military if they are under the command of Mr Trump.

He referenced the billionaire’s comments in relation to immigration.

In response, Mr Kenny said: “If Trumps comments are racist and dangerous, which they are, there is an alternative to vote for.”

Mr Boyd Barrett had asked the Taoiseach: “Mr Trump has talked about wiping people out across the Middle East and massively escalating US military action in that region.

“Whatever about the previous differences between the Taoiseach and I on this issue, is he seriously going to tell the House that if Donald Trump was President of the United States, the Taoiseach would carry on with the policy of facilitating the US military at Shannon Airport?

“If the Taoiseach did that, it would beggar belief because everybody recognises what a dangerous man Donald Trump is.”

Online Editors