Trump comments on Irish unity show debate is ‘very much alive’: Michelle O’Neill

Donald Trump’s comments in support of Irish unity show that the debate is “very much alive”, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.

Ms O’Neill was speaking at a joint press conference with the leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru where they jointly declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” in an agreement aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums on independence.

The first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations – SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Ms O’Neill – signed the memorandum of understanding during a meeting in Cardiff on Monday morning.

Along with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, who is the leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, the leaders called on the Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”.

The group, who met in their capacity as party leaders – rather than as officials in their respective governments – also stated their ambitions for partnership around the economy, energy and international co-operation.

US president Mr Trump put the future of the regions of the UK in the spotlight when he made repeated remarks in favour of Irish unity during a visit to Ireland at the weekend.

In response to a question from the Press Association, he said he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill took part in the meeting (Ben Birchall/PA)

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Mr Trump declined to comment on Scottish independence.

Asked about the US president’s remarks, Ms O’Neill said: “I think the comments from the president of the United States very much reflect the fact that the unity debate is very much alive, and people are engaged in it, not just at home, but obviously now internationally as well.

“I think that tells us where we’re at with where the thinking is around: what is the big prize here for our people? And the big prize here is unification.

“It is the end of partition and it is that new beginning in a new Ireland.

“I think the comments that we’ve seen over the weekend very much reflect that there is a chorus now of people that are engaged in this debate.”

The leaders discussed the ‘pursuit of a different attitude’ from the UK Government (Ben Birchall/PA)

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Ms O’Neill is the joint head of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing administration with the DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly.

Ms Little-Pengelly has accused Ms O’Neill of “weaponising” the role of First Minister by signing the joint memorandum.

Ms O’Neill responded: “I am First Minister in the north of Ireland.

“This is about historic change happening all around us.”

SNP leader John Swinney said Scots must be able to express their view on whether to remain in the UK.

The Scottish First Minister said recent polling showed a majority in favour of breaking away from the union while the recent Holyrood election returned a majority of pro-independence MSPs.

But he said the country had faced “obstruction” from the UK Government, which has repeatedly rejected SNP calls for another referendum.

“The people of Scotland are entitled to decide their own future,” he told the press conference.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the joint agreement was about “ensuring a better future for the people that we represent”.

He said there is a “determination that it was for our people to decide” their futures.

The leaders signed the memorandum of understanding in Cardiff (Ben Birchall/PA)

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The joint agreement signed by the three parties says: “The political landscape across these islands is changing.

“For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom.

“For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.

“We believe there is a better way: nations working together as equals, sharing ideas and expertise, and building relationships based on mutual respect and common interests.

“Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.

“We therefore commit to strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference.”

The agreement sets out plans to “reject Whitehall’s broken economic model” and share ideas on economic growth, expand energy resources, and states that “the future of our nations belongs in the European Union”.

The leaders add: “Our nations have the right to self-determination. No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future.

“We recognise that our parties have different constitutional positions and that each nation will determine its own future in its own way and in its own time.

“We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction.”

Following the press conference on Monday morning, Downing Street said Andy Burnham believes strongly in the United Kingdom and is focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis for households across the country rather than on “constitutional debates”.

Mr Burnham’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union.

“The United Kingdom is at its best when people come together around our shared values and problem-solving, rather than division, and the Prime Minister will continue to ease pressures on household finances, and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”