Trump says united Ireland would be “fantastic” at meeting with Irish PM | BBC News
With Micheál Martin seated beside ...him, Trump said a united Ireland would be a "fantastic thing", and added: "now the UK would have something to say about it obviously but I think it would be a great thing, I mean, how can it be bad?"
A spokesperson for Martin said Trump's comments should "come as a surprise to no one" and the US president has been "consistent in his view that he sees unity in Ireland as the optimal outcome".
In London, Downing Street referred to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's words on Wednesday in the House of Commons that he will stick to the Good Friday Agreement. It says the secretary of state must hold a border poll if it appears likely that a majority of people in Northern Ireland would vote for Irish unification. The circumstances of when that could happen is the subject of constant debate in Northern Ireland and the Republic. Earlier this week, Martin said there needed to be more clarity on when a border poll can be called.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she acknowledged Trumps comments on a united Ireland and said the onus is on the Taoiseach to begin planning.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson said Trump "knows better than most that elections matter" and said: “Northern Ireland's constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington”.
Former DUP MP Ian Paisley and close friend of the Trump family said: "everyone is allowed a personal opinion even when it's wrong".
Trump is on a two-day visit to the Irish Republic and will be travelling to County Clare for the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Chris Page.
Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews
For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news
#BBCNewsShow More
Trump says united Ireland would be “fantastic” at meeting with Irish PM | BBC News
Donald Trump has said he would love to see a united Ireland, while holding a meeting with the the Irish prime minister, ...
World leaders pose for family photo at Brics summit. #Brics #Delhi #BBCNews
Why a record £72 million donation is a 'game-changer' for Reform | BBC News
Today, we look at two record breaking donations to Reform UK of £72 million. The money has been given to the party by ...
Nims Purja’s friend recalls finding his body after avalanche. #NirmalPurja #NimsPurja #BBCNews
Trump says that united Ireland would be ‘a great thing' | BBC News
US President Donald Trump has said he would love to see a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish ...
Nima Purja’s friend recalls finding his body after avalanche | BBC News
Mingma Gyalje Sherpa was friends with Nirmal Purja and Kili Pemba Sherpa, two of the strongest climbers he had ever ...
What happened when I met Osama Bin Laden before 9/11? | BBC Americast
The journalist Peter Bergen talks to us about meeting Osama Bin Laden before 9/11, and what happened during that ...
Putin and Xi among leaders meeting Modi at Brics summit | BBC News
Leaders from 11 nations - India, China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, the UAE and Iran, with Saudi Arabia attending as ...
US President Donald Trump thinks a unified Ireland would be a "great thing". #Ireland #US #BBCNews
Will El Niño mean SNOW this winter? #ElNino #WinterElNino #BBCNews
Saudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack launched from Iraq | BBC News
Saudi Arabia has closed a critical oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones launched from Iraq, as conflict in the ...
Donald Trump arrives in Ireland for two-day visit. #DonaldTrump #BBCNews
Can Resident Evil ever be TOO scary? | BBC News
With a new Resident Evil movie around the corner, BBC Newsbeat's Tom Richardson sat down with the movie's director, Zach ...
US leads commemorations 25 years after 9/11 attacks with tributes to victims | BBC News
Twenty-five years after 9/11, US presidents past and present have commemorated the lives lost when hijacked planes ...
American airports consider security changes. #BBCNews