Taoiseach Enda Kenny's three day trade mission to the US begins today, with a potential meeting with President-elect Donald Trump on the cards.

Mr Kenny is understood to have told Mr Trump of his plans to be in New York during their 10-minute phone call last week and suggested the possibility of a face-to-face meeting.

Mr Trump said he was open to the proposal if his schedule allowed, and the matter was left with their respective staff to arrange.

There was no Irish official listening in the call to take notes because it was hastily arranged the day after Mr Trump’s election and took place late at night in Ireland.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach told reporters earlier this week there were “no plans at present” to meet and no official request had been made.

The Taoiseach received the first invite to the White House from Mr Trump, after the president-elect asked him during their call to travel to the White House for St Patrick’s Day, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1952.

Mr Kenny faced harsh criticism for his reaction to Mr Trump's election, having previously criticised the business man during his campaign.

In the speech in the Seanad on November 10th, former equality minister Aodhán Ó'Ríordáin described Mr Trump as a fascist and said he was “embarrassed” by the Irish Government’s reaction to the election result.

Mr Kenny will visit New York and San Francisco as part of his trade mission to the United States.