US President Donald Trump’s remarks in support of Irish unity reflect the “broad north American sentiment”, former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said.
Mr Adams welcomed Mr Trump’s remarks but stated that Irish premier Micheál Martin had “put himself outside this positive attitude” towards holding a border poll.
The US President is currently on a two-day visit to Ireland.
Yesterday, during a meeting with Mr Martin and in response to a question from the Press Association, Mr Trump claimed Irish reunification was inevitable, adding it “may as well happen now”.
He said: “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?”
During a subsequent engagement at the US ambassador’s residence in Ireland, Mr Trump did not back away from his earlier answer, stating Irish unification would be “a very cool thing”.
Mr Adams, who was the Sinn Féin leader when the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, delivered a speech in Dublin on Sunday reflecting on the peace deal.
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK’s Northern Ireland secretary can decide to hold a border poll, and has a duty to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin had disagreed with US administrations since 1998 on a number of issues “particularly the Middle East and other conflicts”.
He added: “Yesterday’s remarks by President Trump on the issue of Irish Unity are welcome, even though we profoundly differ with him on many other matters, as we did with his predecessors.
“They reflect the broad north American sentiment towards Irish unity and particularly the Irish diaspora towards Irish reunification.
“And this is increasingly reflected in mainstream dialogue.
“Micheál Martin has put himself outside this positive attitude to Irish Unity in Ireland and the diaspora.
“He needs to correct this and play a leading part in this process.”
Mr Adams said no Irish government has ever “produced a strategy” to give effect to Irish unity.
He said: “The absence of Irish government planning, almost 30 years after the Agreement, is indefensible and incredibly short-sighted.
“There is no excuse for this.
“What is needed is the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including setting a date and planning for the referendum on the future.
“This requires inclusive discussions about the future to ensure that not only do citizens take informed decisions but that the new Ireland which emerges when the union ends is one in which everyone is valued and social and economic rights are upheld.
“The Irish government should establish a Citizen’s Assembly or series of such assemblies to discuss the process of constitutional change and the measures needed to build an all-Ireland economy, a truly national health service and education system and much more.”