Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar says he would “like to meet” controversial US vice president elect Mike Pence personally, despite the latter’s support for gay ‘conversion‘ therapy.

Speaking to RTÉ, Varadkar said that the “right approach” to dealing with Pence is through respect. “The right approach, I think, with anyone is to respect their religion, respect their values and engage with them. That’s how you win over minds and soften hearts,” he said.

“When it comes to Mike Pence, I’d like him to come to Ireland. I’d personally like to meet him. I’d love to tell him my story, but more importantly I’d love to tell him the story of our country,” added Varadkar.

The Minister for Social Protection’s comments relate to a phone call between Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the US VP elect last week.

The Taoiseach spoke to Pence via phone on Friday, November 18 and expressed his desire to have the US vice president elect visit Ireland in the future. Afterwards the Taoiseach tweeted: “had a really good conversation tonight with US VP Elect Mike Pence. He certainly knows Ireland and the issues that matter to our people.”

However, the latter half of Kenny’s tweet was robustly challenged on Twitter.