THE Government will work constructively and positively with whoever wins the US presidential election, the Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, has told politicians here.
But Mr Quinn said it would be remiss not to emphasise the excellent relations which Dublin has had with the Clinton administration, especially concerning the peace process.
Asked what would happen if Mr Dole wins in November, the Minister recalled that Dublin had also had very good relations with the Reagan and Bush Republican administrations. "We are professionals, so we will ensure that there would be very good relations" with a Dole White House.
Mr Quinn referred to recent criticism by former Republican Secretary of State, Mr Jim Baker, of President Clinton, for admitting a "representative of the IRA" to the White House. That criticism reflected the fact that the Republicans are closer to the Conservative party in Britain than to Irish political interests, Mr Quinn said.
Mr Quinn is on a visit to Chicago and Detroit to try to attract American financial institutions to the Dublin financial centre (IFSC). He was also a guest at the Democratic convention.
Earlier Mr Quinn described Ireland as a "post Catholic, pluralist republic" represented by an outstanding President.