Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone has said the "fundamental freedoms" that the US was founded on could be curtailed during Donald Trump’s presidency, writes Elaine Loughlin, Political Reporter

Ms Zappone, who is an American citizen, has said would be using her position at Cabinet to raise all concerns with President Trump and his government throughout his term in office.

"I acknowledge that it was a very bruising campaign, I was very disappointed and angry I suppose at the choice of President-Elect Trump because of a lot of the issues that he spoke about," she said.

"I feel very upset at the choice of the American people, at the same time as a democrat I have to accept that."

In his first full-length interview as President-Elect, Mr Trump last night remained firm in his position in relation to appointing supreme court judges.

"I’m pro-life," he told the 60 Minutes show. "The judges will be pro-life."

Speaking at an event this morning to mark the start of Focus Ireland’s week of events leading up Universal Children’s Day, Mr Zappone said: "It would be no surprise in terms of who the President-Elect may chose to put onto the Supreme Court."

She said this would be "just one of the many ways" that the choice of the American people to elect Mr Trump will have implications well into the future.

"It may row back on many of the equalities and fundamental freedoms that as an original citizen of the United States of America I would say our country is founded on.

"With the great privilege of being a cabinet minister here in another country, knowing the deep bonds that Ireland shares with America, regardless of who is in office in Dublin or Washington, I look forward to playing my part in raising our concerns with President Trump in the natural bilateral relations that any government would have with the United States government," Ms Zappone said.