President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support for a united Ireland. He's on day two of a visit, which he is spending at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, for the Irish Open. On Saturday, Trump told reporters he would love to see a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin in Dublin.
Speaking on Sunday at his Doonbeg golf resort, he said it would be natural to put Ireland and Northern Ireland "together". He spoke to reporters after watching the tournament leader Irish golfer Shane Lowry tee off. He described what he said about a united Ireland as "a fairly routine comment".
"I've always loved the people of Ireland. It just seems to me you have Northern Ireland and Ireland," he said "It seems that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together. "That's only my opinion, and by the way many people agree." The president sidestepped a question about Scottish independence.
"I won't talk about Scotland yet I will save that," he said. Trump's comments on a united Ireland may have targeted audience across the Atlantic What's next after Donald Trump's united Ireland comments? The taoiseach said the president's remarks did not come as a "surprise" to him.
Speaking on Sunday at The Open, Martin referred to Trump asking about a "merger" of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at an event in Washington during the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, which some believed to be a comment on unity. "He would make the point this is his view. He believes unity is the logical way for the island to be configured and organised," Martin said.
A major security operation is continuing for Trump's visit to Ireland. He will leave from Shannon Airport on Sunday evening. More than 10,000 people marched through Dublin on Saturday to show their opposition to the US president.
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