Donald Trump has said the Irish are "always welcome" in America, despite the coronavirus European travel restrictions.
The President of the United States welcomed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to the White House once more today.
And Mr Trump told the Irish Mirror that the Irish still have a special place in America.
He said: "Always, always welcome, of course you are."
And he added, again, "I love the Irish."
The reassurance was hugely welcome considering the global coronavirus pandemic that has seen dozens of countries' citizens banned from the US.
Mr Varadkar was in the White House to present the traditional Waterford Crystal bowl full of shamrock to the US President in honour of St Patrick's Day.
The actual public ceremony, where hundreds fill the White House ballroom for a shindig, was cancelled.
But a one-on-one meeting with Mr Varadkar and Mr Trump went ahead and the bowl of shamrock was on the table between them.
Mr Trump also revealed in reply to another question from the Irish Mirror that the two leaders did not shake hands because of coronavirus fears.
He said: "It was awkward because we're good friends now."
Mr Trump also said that he would like to see Mr Varadkar back in the White House again as Taoiseach next year.
This will have been music to the ears of Mr Varadkar as he battles to form a government and hold on to his job as Taoiseach in the wake of February's general election.
