Trump says he’d ‘love’ to see a united Ireland: ‘It may as well happen now’

What a united Ireland still needs

The US president made the comments during a news conference with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House.

His remarks became the biggest moment of his two-day visit, which had largely focused on logistics until that point.

Trump began by stressing that he did not want to create any problems with his comments on Irish unity.

However, he quickly made his position clear, saying he would like to see Ireland unified because he has friends on both sides.

He described people on both sides as “great people” and said he believed unification would be something everyone could celebrate.

The Commander in Chief then suggested that unity would happen eventually, adding that it “may as well happen now."

The issue had reportedly been discussed during his meeting with Micheál Martin earlier that morning.

Trump referred to the Taoiseach as “the right man” to get the process moving, while also acknowledging that the UK would have a say.

He described Irish unity as something that could ultimately be “a fantastic thing”, although his support does not alter the constitutional process.

Under the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the UK Secretary of State has the power to decide whether a border poll should take place in Northern Ireland.

The question of who should ultimately determine when such a poll happens has remained an important issue in Irish politics.

The UK government's response was to reaffirm its existing position rather than respond positively to Trump's comments.

It said Prime Minister Andy Burnham continues to believe there is no majority public support for a referendum at present.

According to the UK government, there will be no referendum unless that situation changes.

Burnham caused controversy last month when he said a referendum on Irish unity was "off the table."

Sinn Féin responded to Trump's remarks by directing attention towards Micheál Martin and calling for action from the Taoiseach.

Sinn Féin also said the national journey had moved towards reunification following the achievement of peace.

Trump later returned to the subject during an appearance at the US Ambassador's residence, raising the issue without being prompted and appeared aware that his earlier comments would attract attention.

Trump said he had answered the question and expected that people would be reading about his response the following day.

He also acknowledged the difficulty of answering such a sensitive question, saying there was no perfect response regardless of how it was handled.

Despite that, the US President said he believed Irish unity would be "a very cool thing."

His comments do not come with a timetable, mechanism or vote, and they do not change the existing process for a border poll.

However, they give political parties across the State a major statement they can point to in the unity debate.

They also place Micheál Martin in the spotlight after Trump publicly described him as the person who could get the issue moving.

For a visit dominated by security measures, road closures and logistics, Trump's comments on Irish unity are likely to be the moment remembered most.