Patrick Kielty says the unity conversation is ‘overdue’ – and someone has to go first

The Late Late Show host said someone needs to make the first move, making the comments during an interview on The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1.

He was selecting important songs from his life with Dearbhail McDonald.

The interview aired ahead of The Late Late Show's return on Friday.

His comments came as US President Donald Trump backed the idea of Irish unity, as the US President said he would “love” to see a united Ireland.

He also said it “may as well happen now” during a news conference at Farmleigh.

Kielty was asked whether people are ready for a serious conversation about unity, responding: “I think it's overdue."

Kielty said people have discussed the island's future for years. However, he argued that nobody has been willing to start the conversation.

He suggested that supporters of unity may need to make the first move, meaning explaining their position clearly to people who oppose the idea.

Kielty said they would need to accept the responsibility of persuading others, stressing the importance of being open about disagreements.

In his view, honest conversations could help create a better path forward.

Kielty's comments carry particular weight because of his personal history.

During the interview, he discussed his father, Jack Kielty's, murder by the UFF in Co Down, who was killed in January 1988.

He also spoke about grief and his early experiences in comedy.

That background gives his comments about taking the first step added significance.

His message was not simply about politicians starting another political debate, with a deep and personal experience of the difficult history surrounding the issue.

His musical choices also reflected some of those themes, selecting songs by Roy Orbison, Bruce Springsteen, The Stone Roses and Emmylou Harris.

His final choice was Christy Moore's Viva La Quinta Brigada.

Dearbhail McDonald noted another connection during the interview and Andy Burnham had also selected a Christy Moore song as his final choice.

Burnham and Kielty have both recently entered the conversation surrounding Irish unity, as The Late Late Show will return to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Friday, 18 September.

The new season begins at 9:35pm as part of RTÉ's new season.