US President Donald Trump has told the press that he would “love” to see a united Ireland after arriving in Dublin for a two-day visit.
Asked by a reporter for his views on Irish reunification, Mr Trump asked: “How can it be bad?”
“It’s going to happen eventually – it may as well happen now,” he said. He described reunification as “a fantastic thing,” adding that it would be a “great” outcome.
“The UK will have something to say about it,” he added. Looking to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the US president suggested: “You’ve got the right man over here to get it moving.”
He praised Ireland and its people as a “fantastic” country which he loved particularly because of its “special people.”
“Well, I don’t want to cause any problem,” he said. “I will tell you, I’d love to see it unified. I have friends on both sides. Great people there. Irish people. How can they be bad, right? I’d love to see it unified. I think it would be great. Yeah, a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened. It’s going to happen eventually… It’s going to happen eventually. Things will happen. Now we’re talking about it. And you got the right man over here to get it moving. But, yeah, I think it would be a fantastic thing. Now, the UK will have something to say about it, obviously, but I think it would be a great thing. I mean, how can it be bad?”
Doubling down on his comments, Mr Trump said it would be a “very cool thing” during a speech at the US embassy.
“No matter what you say, no matter how well you say it, there’s no good answer, right?” said Trump.
When asked about demonstrations against his visit, Trump said he hadn’t really seen protestors, describing it as “a friendly protest.”
The US president landed under tight security this morning for two days of diplomacy and golf, touching down at Dublin airport on Air Force One shortly before 8.25am.
Some 4,000 police and personnel have been mobilised for the visit, in what has been dubbed one of the biggest security operations mounted here in recent years.
Speaking at Dublin Airport, Tanaiste Simon Harris said: “Talking to the President there at the foot of Air Force One we had an opportunity to recall previous conversations we had, indeed I had phoned President Trump on his election as President of the United States.
“He is very much looking forward to getting to Doonbeg, he is a man who obviously loves golf, he is very proud of his Doonbeg golf resort and is looking forward to getting down there.”
Hundreds of invited guests then gathered at the US Ambassador’s Residence, where Mr Trump gave a speech.
“You have unbelievable people in Ireland,” he said. “People love coming to Ireland because they love you, they love the people. There’s a friendliness, there’s also a viciousness and a toughness.
“And I just want to thank you. It’s an honour to be here,” he said.
The morning started with a meeting with President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin.
A red carpet was rolled out for Mr Trump, while President Connolly shook his hand and then led him into the State reception room. From there, Mr Trump was led into the drawing room and into a hallway where he was introduced to dignitaries.
The US leader was gifted an anthology of the collected poems of Michael Longley with the media notes highlighting his sonnet ‘Ceasefire’ which we are told has become one of the defining poems on what it is to forgive.
Trump is set to fly to his luxury resort in Doonbeg, where the Irish Open is taking place.
Mr Martin told the US president he was “very pleased to welcome you to Ireland,” as he stressed the “very strong, old relationship” between the US and Ireland.
He said: “You did say to me 12 months ago that you would do everything possible to get here when it was announced that Doonbeg would be the venue for the Irish Open.
“I think it illustrates the very strong sporting relationship between our two countries.
“The sporting connections between our two countries are huge and the people of Doonbeg are particularly appreciative of your investment and the investment of your family.”