Micheal Martin has refuted claims that Joe Biden feels hatred towards the UK.
Former DUP leader Arlene Foster caused a stir in a recent interview when she described Joe Biden as the "the most partisan president there has ever been" in terms of his stance on Northern Ireland. She told GB News that Mr Biden was dismissive towards the British people, before adding there was "no doubt" of his hatred towards the UK.
The Tanaiste admitted that Ms Foster was wrong to make these allegations. He also said that Mr Biden often referenced his British heritage aside from his Irish roots.
READ MORE: US President heads to ancestral home in Mayo
He told RTE listeners: "That was a wrong comment to make by Arlene. The one word you do not associate with Joe Biden is hate- he's the antithesis of that and speaks about the dignity of every human person."
He added: "He often references his British heritage in terms of his granduncle, who had been involved with the British military. That comment was misplaced and I would refute it having met with Joe Biden on a number of occasions."
He also said that the state visit was a huge positive for Irish-US relations. The visit, organised in support of the Good Friday Agreement on its 25th anniversary, saw the US President spend time in Dublin, Louth, Belfast to date.
Mr Biden is now spending the final day of his trip in Mayo and arrived there via plane this afternoon. The US President is set to address the crowds in Ballina later on tonight before he jets back to the United States.
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