The Taoiseach last night conceded that Ireland was not going to have the same contact with the White House under the new administration.
Ireland was unlikely to get the same treatment from Mr Gore or Mr Bush that we got from President Clinton.
However, Mr Ahern said the Government was going to have to work closely with the winner. "We will have to build up a relationship with them. Of course I know Al Gore better. I have met him several times on Northern Ireland matters. I have never met George Bush," he told TV3 News.
The Taoiseach said: "I would have spoken to President Clinton 20 times this year. I don't think we are going to have the same connection and the same involvement in the future. But still who is in the White House and the administration of the White House is very important for Ireland. . ."
Mr Ahern said he was going to miss Mr Clinton because they had built up a personal relationship. He said that whenever there was anything involving the North over the last few years you did not have to think about contacting Mr Clinton. He would always get in touch from his jet, even when he was in the Middle East.
"It became very much deep contact. And I have to say whether it is Vice-President Al Gore or whether it is Governor Bush I don't think we are going to get that kind of treatment."
He said the openness of the US administration was important for Ireland, not concerning only the North but for investment as well.