North inner city councillor Nial Ring says he welcomed Donald Trump’s comments in favour of a united Ireland and called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to take a more active role in preparing for unity.
Trump said during his visit to Ireland that he would “love” to see the island unified and thought it would happen eventually. He later described the comments as his opinion.
Ring said his support for Trump’s remarks did not mean overlooking the controversy surrounding the president.
“As a local councillor for the North Inner City with a proud Republican background, I am well aware of Donald Trump’s unpredictable nature, his unconventional style, and the controversy that so often surrounds his words and behaviour,” he said.
“However, when it comes to yesterday’s remarks expressing clear support for a united Ireland, his stance is entirely correct and should be encouraged and welcomed.”
Ring said Trump’s comments had brought the discussion about Irish unity back onto the international stage.
“I wholeheartedly support and welcome US President Donald Trump’s remarks expressing his support for a united Ireland,” he said.
“His recognition that a transition toward unity would be a positive development has rightly brought the conversation back to the international stage where it belongs.”
The councillor criticised Downing Street’s response to Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent comments about a referendum.
“Downing Street’s ‘stern’ response to these comments is nothing short of breathtaking hypocrisy,” Ring said.
He accused Burnham of dismissing “a democratic mechanism enshrined in international accords” while objecting to commentary from abroad.
Ring also called on Martin to act, saying Trump’s remarks had placed fresh pressure on the Taoiseach.
“President Trump’s remarks rightly place the pressure back on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to step up and deliver,” he said.
“The momentum toward Irish unity is unstoppable. Both the British and Irish governments should use this US goodwill to move forward towards what the vast majority of Irish people want.”
Under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the British Secretary of State must call a referendum if it appears likely that a majority of those voting in Northern Ireland would support joining a united Ireland. Trump’s comments do not alter that process, and his expression of support should not be treated as a formal US policy announcement.