Irish unification referendum by 2030, says Sinn Fein leader

[@liukin95]

I may be on the opposite of the political spectrum to McDonald, however I like how she presents herself. Not afraid of tough questions, answers them directly and respectfully. That's all we want from our politicians, not the usual dithering and blabbering we normally see from our politicians in Westminster.

[@maevey3]

I was just thinking the same thing. I'm Northern Irish and not a SF follower, but I have to admit, she spoke well here. Very diplomatic.

[@Seagulligus]

I love Ireland. Nth and Sth. Brilliant people and country. May Ireland Sth and Nth be united either way of an outcome of a referendum.

[@FerrisFlyer]

Mary Lou and Michelle are heads and shoulders above any of the politicians on either of these islands.

[@annenunney9907]

Spot on I like her too

[@keithgreen9009]

Yup , she's like a broken record or like running your nails down a black board

[@MrRokkit]

*I've voted unionist most of my adult life.* Never considered myself particularly liberal or even ideological. The United Kingdom functioned well and made sense. If there were a border poll today I'm pretty sure (depending on the details) that *I'd vote for Irish reunification.* The UK is no longer the "pragmatic gentleman" I recognise, but divisive and populist. I've never voted for Sinn Fein. But listening today to Mary Lou McDonald I'd go as far as to say that I'd consider it.

[@TheIrishKing.]

I have voted for Sinn Fein since I turned 18 but their just as bad they are causing big trouble for us Natives SINN FÉIN ARE FINISHED 🤬

[@geecee4746]

Ireland is only Ireland by name now, sf are helping to destroy it, they will pay a heavy price in the next election in the south

[@wavydavy9816]

I'm English and I think that this seems like a very logical and sensible idea in light of recent political changes in the UK.

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@TheIrishKing. i’d put my months wage that this guy has never voted Sinn Fein once and neither is he Irish.

[@tomgreene1843]

Be a little careful for your wishes ...let's see what is on offer for all persuasions ...I would not like to live in a society driven by possibly marxist based woke agendas.

[@Algolxxxxxx]

To be fair Ireland should never have been divided in the first place.

[@thomasjoseph3552]

Absolutely, to be fair 26+6=Ireland

[@user-vk8yq8oq7p]

It used to be united. It was divided because of Irish nationalism.

[@williamwallace4924]

Why is Britain divided into three countries. It is one island and always has been one island.

[@user-vk8yq8oq7p]

@@williamwallace4924 because they have their own languages and cultures of course

[@symon3304]

It's nice to hear a politician speak with reason and not be aggressive towards those with differing politics.

[@joprocter4573]

Deluded can't see mirage

[@aengusryan5948]

exactly. those unionists lads could do with some coaching on how not to turn viewers off

[@symon3304]

@aengusryan5948 I'm English so don't know a lot about what's going on, but her manner was a credit to her.

[@pattysmyth3210]

Poor deluded u

[@pattysmyth3210]

How ignorant ur

[@PaulHunter-ih1ye]

As an British man born in England but of Irish Parentage i have long held the belief that Ireland should fundamentally be a United Country. I also believe that today the vast majority of like minded people within the island of Ireland would also support this. They have had enough of Sectarianism and troubles.

[@EpicAelflaed]

But why? I’m just curious

[@medb8882]

They would. Despite the majority of Irish thinking that the north would be a financial liability, our idealism lives on.

[@medb8882]

@@EpicAelflaedthat’s why

[@Timberdoodle197]

​@@EpicAelflaedbecause he is probably a lefty especially with irish parents who probably brainwashed him with story's of old eire struggle, load of crap northern ireland is british

[@kosherwatermelonproductions]

@@EpicAelflaedBecause the Brits have colonized and occupied them for long enough. What is the argument against a unified Ireland? (not-irish)

[@v4panigale26]

I served in South Armagh in the early 80’s and I’ve been saying for years that it should be reunited. They use a combined team in rugby so it’s not a quantum leap to reunite

[@mrjars5721]

​@@RyanTandy-dp1bhthey should unite because people like myself who are from there want to unite. We are the majority. It's selfish and evil to want a unionist state dominated by unionist people. A very sectarian state. We have already seen how that played out. Those days are over. Its time to move on. Unionists are no longer the majority and they never will be again. United Ireland is coming either get with it or feel free to go back to your homeland. The North of Ireland is not the unionists ancestral land. The plantation is finished. United Ireland 🇮🇪

[@joekavanagh7171]

@@RyanTandy-dp1bh says who? Certainly not a growing number of people in Northern Ireland.

[@user-ze8yy8jg1f]

​@@joekavanagh7171who the planters😂😂😂 F*ck yourself with your orange strap on

[@joanesp100]

@@RyanTandy-dp1bh Selfish and evil?? Give me a break

[@freneticness6927]

United under the british government.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Could us Welsh join Ireland rather than England? Please. We’ll move our land closer if it helps.

[@anonitachi6966]

A proper Celtic Tiger - Wales, Scotland & Ireland. Sounds good to me.

[@volodymyrkovalskyi2061]

😂

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Wales needs to join something as it can't support itself.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

@@jjefferyworboys8138 yes and a united Wales Ireland and Scot would be great. With England as the poor cousin.

[@zxgeorger]

Communist Ireland on the way 🎉😂

[@ValTwineDeaner]

My dad's father (who died before I was born) who was English, dedicated his life in fighting for/with the Irish. I'm English, and I love the Irish. I just wish them love, peace and better things in their country. Why can't outsiders just leave them alone, and stop picking on them. May they get the leader they want/need, to fight their corner.

[@mogznwaz]

Why would your English dad want to fight his own people? Let me guess - is he a socialist?

[@22grena]

What was his name?

[@daryllportas8453]

If all the mass immigration continues there won't be an Irishmen left.

[@IrishSon]

@@daryllportas8453numpty.

[@LynchTheShills]

Said no English person ever.

[@Wodens-Wolf]

As an Englishman, I say Ireland should be united. Better then being ruled by our government. We don't even want to be ruled by our own parliament of traitors why should we expect the Irish to put up with it.

[@tanktutorials]

Because we would be swapping one bunch of treasonous rats for an other in the eu which I voted to leave

[@DafyddBrooks]

well its weather northen island people wants to leave behind all of what the UK has to offer though. Plus the IRA wasnt helping for a long time

[@StormEagle5]

As a Northern Irish person I say hell no. The already struggling health service and economy would be devastated. Ireland can't sustain the amount of money and investment we currently get from Westminster.

[@colinsmith1288]

@StormEagle5 As an English person l think Westminister needs to be chipping in more money to Northern lreland to make it prosper.

[@MrBulky992]

​​@@colinsmith1288Northern Ireland receives more public money per capita than England (18% more) or Wales (4% more) and roughly the same as Scotland. We surely don't want to widen the gap even further. The most deprived areas in terms of funding are all of the English regions except London which has money thrown at it. That's why there was this empty talk of "levelling up", seldom heard now.

[@ThomasMullan-r5s]

It's one island no matter what they say

[@Theslavedrivers]

True - But not one Ireland.

[@ThomasMullan-r5s]

@@Theslavedrivers soon will be

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@Theslavedriversthink there’s a lot of dead British soldiers who are testament that it is indeed Ireland.

[@Theslavedrivers]

@@maxpowerii7368 Geographically, yes. Politically, no.

[@ThomasMullan-r5s]

@@Theslavedrivers majority r

[@nuancedbro9373]

Live in NI and never would support united ireland but at this point what is the difference, WEF rules the world anyway

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

Exactly a united Ireland is now meaningless, we are all under the jackboot of the WEF we are mere observers to the social engineering.

[@Hail_To_The_King]

Very true. They are destroying the nation state and turning us all into a serf class of the global elite

[@michaelmckibbin9665]

Lol put the tinfoil away lads

[@nigelsynnott7344]

Your proof of this is?

[@derekalexander846]

100% correct nuancedbro...

[@S46-l5j]

Give Ireland back to the Irish. Free Ireland 🇮🇪

[@surreyanglia268]

..in every packet

[@bryanbelshaw7725]

Except it belongs to the EU....and the Ukrainians, Romanians, Lithuanians, Albanians, etc etc etc

[@Jabberstax]

Immigrants have more rights in Ireland than the Irish do.

[@Protestant16907]

Ireland is no more 😂😂😂😂😂 immigrants run it now god bless them

[@jameselliott8203]

Free them from what ?

[@anamdiolta]

Avoids speaking on issue No.1

[@upthedubs1000]

The ideal “solution” to the “Irish problem” would be to have a united Ireland. Let’s be honest here. For 800yrs we have had British rule upon the Irish people. It didn’t work. We have had Anglo Irish-this and Good Friday-that. Why not try a united Ireland. Can’t be as bad as the past.

[@ianmcdonald3053]

Because some of us in Northern Ireland see the politics of Ireland and want nothing of their socialist ideals!

[@Kaiserbill99]

Oh yes it can! There are are just shy of a million protestants in Northern Ireland most of whom are ardent unionists and will not under any circumstances willingly join a united Ireland. If a catholic majority in NI leads to a vote for unification this will not change their views. Irish unification would lead to a blood bath and Ireland's one rifle and a pitchfork army would be hopelessly out of its depth. The fact that it could well be Sinn Fein at the helm does not exactly help.

[@zeddeka]

@@ianmcdonald3053 eh??? Ireland is many things, but it certainly isn't socialist. Look at the massive social divisions and the state of their health service.

[@zeddeka]

That depends entirely on the will of the people of Northern Ireland which, thus far, has been to remain part of the UK.

[@hithere3035]

There is over 1 million people that would happily create a civil war if ever it happened. It would be extremely dangerous i think.

[@victorocallaghan6791]

She won't speak about the invasion of asylum seekers coming into the Republic and the natives can't get a house and are leaving the country due to this crisis

[@joekavanagh7171]

Blame successive governments for the lack of housing, not migrants. As for invasion, I haven't heard of any foreign tanks landing on Dollymount beach lately.

[@johns1600]

Ireland was a nation of asylum seekers for many years, this rubbish about an invasion is racist. There has been poor housing policy for years and a certain segment of society seems to think they’re entitled to a house handout, maybe get up and earn it, it’s hard for all

[@victorocallaghan6791]

@@johns1600 I was in a brand new housing estate a few years ago. It was a namaste ghost estate. It was being finished by the local Council. There was around 30 houses there. Only one house went to an Irish family. The rest went to foreign nationals. It is very easy to call someone a racist. Just because one would disagree with an influx of mass immigration that doesn't mean someone is racist.

[@johns1600]

@@victorocallaghan6791 isn’t the issue there that the Irish people elected on the council gave housing to one group disproportionately, why is the fault with the migrants?

[@annettereddall8982]

​@@joekavanagh7171no lots of little boats and flying in destroying their documents, Yes ,I'd call it an invasion.

[@rewdwarf123]

Fine to have a referendum, but it might not be the outcome she wants.

[@ClannCholmain]

Democracy is the right to change your mind.

[@yammychops]

@@ClannCholmain democracy is """not""" terrorism

[@OhNoYouDidnt]

Well put it this way, unless the DUP stay in stormont and prove to us that N.I works within the UK it will be the outcome she wants.. we can't keep living like this, our services are totally shot.

[@ClannCholmain]

@@yammychops has never been to the island of Ireland and still supports Suella Braverman. Enough said.

[@pdalaigh]

Given that the six counties are a gerrymandered state that was not ever supposed to have a nationalist leader....but it has.😂

[@davidfoster2006]

United Ireland would be good Idea and it would also save the rest of the U.K. the 9 billion a year that it subsidises Northern Ireland.

[@Sometime4781]

They will still ask for your billions for many years . They don’t love Ireland enough to go it alone.

[@josephbland3904]

I really like the sound of that.. 9 Billion a Year!… Damn I never knew it cost us that much.. That’s not a bargain at all… Let em have it… Tge mainland could use that 9 Billion much better to fund NHS & Energy subsidies etc… Its a no brainier… Let’s pulls out…

[@Frankabagnale33]

Because Northern Ireland was never a priority despite being among the most productive part of the UK! NI is full of bright, hard working people if only we could get them to drop the sectarian BS - from a proud Irishman . . . “Despite the majority of the productivity drivers on the dashboard being red, NI saw a rapid improvement in its ranking between 2020 and 2021, moving up to 7th place from previously being last of the UK's twelve regions. This was due to the highest productivity growth of any UK region, at 6.7% in real terms.” - Productivity.ac.uk

[@t0m_mcc]

Yes please!

[@christinamorrison6078]

Plus england is full of plastic paddies

[@douglasschaden3475]

No Irishman would accept an "united" country under this lot.

[@brianmcmanus7213]

For 60 years from the inauguration of the synthetic state of Northern Ireland the British turned a blind eye to the disgraceful discrimination against the Nationalists in the North. Once they had there majority in this part of occupied Ireland they were content for the injustice to carry on, when the troubles broke out in the late 60s the British had no option but to have direct rule, the world was watching and the Brits were in the Dock over the discrimination in the North. The protest militias including B specials , UDR , RUC were all disbanded, and rightly so, due to this injustice for many years when one section of the community all the wealth is it any wonder that Northern Nationalists would vote for a United Ireland. By the way if there had been equality this situation may never have happened, so the Unionists have only themselves to blame.

[@T5Zplayer]

Meanwhile, down in the South the Catholic Church murdered and abused. And just remind me how many Catholic people the IRA murdered? Nobody is innocent here.

[@joprocter4573]

All groomed via self selected aphreid division on purpose called sabotage within

[@colincampbell4261]

Give over!

[@joprocter4573]

@@colincampbell4261 over given

[@ardri31]

​@@colincampbell4261truth hurts doesn't it princess

[@tommartin7333]

If the Irish Rugby team can work so well together then so can the rest of us.Ireland deserves to work as one.

[@gallowglass2630]

It works in rugby because very few play it,its the most overhyped sport in ireland

[@StormEagle5]

A rugby team is not at all like governance. Northern Irish people do no want the southern irish health system, or to have our economy slashed from the evaporation of support from Westminster.

[@tonywilliams7152]

Hate "Irelands Call". Amhran Na Bhfiann is Irelands national anthem.

[@gerry2762]

As can, Golf, Cricket, Tiddlywinks. Now go back to sleep 😴

[@blythemajors9193]

😂

[@sanchoodell6789]

The weird thing here is that the *two* states which inhabit the *British Isles* both have an Indian prime minister! Éire has Leo Varankar and the UK Rishi Sunak.

[@tonywilliams7152]

Not for long

[@ktulu31]

Ireland not part of British isles

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Weird isn't it. In truth, Varadkar is 50/50 Irish Indian unlike prine miniature Sunak who is 100% Indian. The clear winner here is India's PM Modi. India is offering Britain a trade deal based on a significant work visa arrangement. Sunak will rubber stamp that. So Britain's future is guaranteed to prosper with the arrival of several hundred thousand more persons "with skills" to England from India. Lucky England.

[@anthonyferris8912]

Yes it is. It's a geographical term, not political.

[@aengusryan5948]

@anthonyferris8912 it's a British geographical term, it's not recognised by the Irish government.

[@AntPDC]

Not sure the Irish Republic wants, or can even afford, the £10 billion the UK sends to Northern Ireland in annual subventions.

[@timheydon1131]

Not to mention 1 million unionists who hate them with a passion .

[@cannibalholocaust3015]

Historically free staters wanted nothing to Do with the dirty black north, so nothing new there

[@IrishSon]

They call us Free Staters and then they wonder why we want nothing to do with them 😂😂

[@jennycorkish773]

Ireland can well afford the north ffs

[@LambentIchor]

The largest part of the subvention in 2019, £3.4 billion, was in pension payments paid by the British state to pensioners in Northern Ireland. As these payments are based on contributions paid to the UK exchequer they should continue even after reunification, should it happen. It is possible the UK could renege on it, but it wouldn't look good for them. Other parts of that subvention are to do with the UK's national defence; trident and costs of the war in Afghanistan.

[@wiseoldwizard]

*One Island, One Ireland* 🇮🇪

[@papi8659]

Partition has been a disaster

[@amysands8925]

Why.?

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

Partition was to prevent all out civil war. All out civil war didn't happen. So it was a success not a disaster.

[@sratus]

@@amysands8925 Not sure, maybe something to do with the almost 4000 people killed & 47000 injured. I'd say that's fairly disastrous.

[@hunter98764]

Agreed. Ireland should be reintegrated within the UK.

[@jennycorkish773]

@@hunter98764 our population still hasn’t recovered since British rule. so no thanks !!

[@xrayfish2020]

Let the will of the people be heard! 👍

[@davidrenton]

and they would lose like In Scotland, a quarter of NI catholics wish to stay in the Union, and Catholics no longer hold the demographic gain they once did

[@xrayfish2020]

@@davidrenton It's the whole of Ireland will be voting on this issue, so it's all to be decided on.

[@davidrenton]

@@xrayfish2020 well no it would be NI only, that's like having a Brexit vote where France also votes on it. Ireland can have a vote it has no relevance within the UK. The only vote that would carry any weight would be for NI citizens. Why would Irish citizens get to determine over another soverign state Dublin has no authority over NI Should the English have a vote to make Ireland part of the UK, which they would win. Maybe the English get a vote on a Scots Indyref2 Btw im half irish catholic , british

[@Militaria-pr9rj]

@@davidrenton What he means I think is that both north and south would have to vote yes. If the north votes yes but the south votes no it wont happen and vice versa.

[@davidrenton]

@@Militaria-pr9rj yes ultimately both would have to agree in seperate votes

[@titchk2003]

i,m an english man and it would be great for the irish people to vote for reuniforcation, get away from the shackles of the criminals in westminster.

[@Protestant16907]

I hope that muslims take over England

[@Gypsygeekfreak17]

@@Protestant16907 they wont

[@geraldthomas8948]

About time,it's their country.

[@amysands8925]

Not anymore its not.

[@wft15]

Umm, it's whoever the people vote for!

[@mindfuleats4517]

They are ruining Ireland by brining in thousands of males of fighting age who are unvetted and have no wish to integrate into Irish culture. Housing crisis and medical crisis yet they facilitate these illegal migrants .....

[@deadlevelwillie]

No it's Brussels Country in every way, the Irish are now last in the queue, but not for long, the fight has begun

[@Jabberstax]

Northern Ireland is British, not Irish. 🤡

[@aidygooner]

Respect to this Irish lady calling out the global powerhouses for intentionally being "blind" to Israel's continual and generational sense of impunity, unaccountability and entitlement but said in a respectful and not hateful or divisive way.

[@davidrenton]

may they should care more about the Irish than other matters. Seems the Irish are last on all their lists. They seem to not like the Irish people much

[@roberttwomey2011]

From the South and would most likely vote for unity but there is surely gonna be another 15-20 more years before there's a referendum?

[@ciaradonnelly4627]

I have lived in the North all my life, cannot recall a Dublin Government making a reunification plan....

[@aengusryan5948]

The freedom of movement of people between Ireland and UK is older than the EU. There is no reason to believe this would disappear with unification. There are 350,000 British citizens living and working in Ireland, it's not like the old days where the Irish went over to the UK for work. Now it works both ways. @SB-dg8hq

[@barrylynch5906]

​@biddyearly9262 all Ireland has to vote and needs a majority in both jurisdictions to pass. The south without the north or vice versa wont be enough for reunification

[@keithgreen9009]

The Irish government are not asking for a united ireland , it's only sf asking for this according to the ira rule book

[@andykane9866]

The south has a say aswel

[@keithlambe211]

Spoken like a true leader,very rare to see a politician speak so well

[@krugerfuchs]

She's not a leader a leader doesn't ignore people

[@teatx6du]

@@krugerfuchsBest of a bad bunch, in my opinion.

[@reamoinmcdonachadh9519]

I would hope, that IF there was ever the prospect of a United Ireland, that the people of Ireland North, South, East and West have the vision and the imagination to reconstruct a country FEDERALLY, as a bulwark and a protection against dictatorial pretensions. A United Ireland, an ALL Ireland State would not be a bad thing, but there IS a lot of history to flow under the bridge, and a Federal Republic would facilitate that far more effectively than a Uniate State. Admittedly it would require the setting up of Provincial Governments, with all that entails in terms of civil administration etc, as well as a reform of Central Administration to a Federal Model. But it would mean that Ulster (9 counties instead of N.I.'s 6) would keep Stormont, Connaught, Leinster and Munster would gain their own Assemblies with First Ministers etc, and Dail Eirreann becoming a Federal Dail.

[@IrishSon]

😂😂😂😂😂 Good luck selling that to the people in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan….Stormont….😂😂😂

[@reamoinmcdonachadh9519]

@@IrishSon Doesn't have to BE Stormont, but a Federal Republic WOULD require some type of Provincial Administration. The point being that Ulster would remain Ulster, 9 Counties instead of the 6 that Unionists proclaim to BE Ulster. Whatever the future holds for Ireland and for Northern Ireland, ANY prospect of unification will mean the expansion of one at the expense/demise of the other. A Federal Republic will allow for the histories of both to be respected, and where necessary preserved.

[@GWalsh-on5xj]

A change to the government would have to occur regardless though I don't see the fear of "dictatorial pretensions" here? The Irish model is already a lot more resiliant to that than say the UK is for comparison.

[@anonitachi6966]

Interesting 👍

[@natenae8635]

@@GWalsh-on5xjIn what way is it more resilient.

[@josephmurphy1509]

I supported the aspiration for a united Ireland all my adult life but now a united Ireland for Refugee's. The dream is dying😭

[@stevenmcgee5683]

feel free to leave then

[@WretchedManlam]

​@@stevenmcgee5683W⚓️

[@Protestant16907]

Ireland is no more run by immigrants.

[@Protestant16907]

Call it the new Palestine.

[@LynchTheShills]

EUnited EUtopia

[@danielbentham758]

she does realise that the good Friday agreement says that a referendum can only happen if it appears a majority is likely (the current nationalist vote share is less than 40% unchanged from 20 years ago) until that gets to 50% there is no mandate for a referendum its also in the hands of the Northern Ireland Secretary in the UK government to call nobody else. the growth of Alliance and the middle ground is going to help the status quo.

[@slynskey333]

I'm sure as the president of shin fein she is fully awear

[@joeduffy3309]

20 years ago support for the UK to leave the EU was in the single digits. 20 years ago Sinn Fein would have polled low teen numbers in an Irish general election, they are now at almost 30%, point being, things change and can change quickly, your insinuation that the decision to hold an election might be somewhat withheld from the public by a Northern Ireland Secretary is fanciful. It is in fact not in their hands as it's enshrined in the GFA, a legally binding international peace treaty clearly nobody in the UK has read in the last 25 years. Now I understand international obligations are treated with disdain by the British, but they would dishonour this one at their peril. The union is finished, prepare for it, or prepare for failure.

[@Jhimself]

That's 40% of seat share in the assembly. Unionists like to quote that figure to make it seem like nationalism hasn't grown. In the 2022 election, together, the nationalist parties won 50.3% of the first preference votes, which was higher than their combined seat share of 39.3%. This means that some of their votes were transferred to other parties or candidates in the later stages of the single transferable vote system. 41.9% first preference for unionists. Nationalism is growing.

[@michaelogrady1002]

Correct in regard to the terms of the Good Friday Agreement regarding a border poll and Irish reunification..It xhould be noted however that the percentage of those in Northern Ireland identifying as Protestant has declined over two decades ,in cencus 2001 53% in 2021 it was 43% while those identifying as Catholic is 45%..Protestants are on average older than Catholics and the birth rate among Catholics is higher xo the demographic balance will continue to change..The economic interconnectivity between the two jurisdictions ix also growing with 50% of Northern Ireland exports going to the Republic. Ireland is a member of the EU and in the event of reunification funding would come from the EU in assisting the impact of reunification. Irish reunification is a probability but will need to be done with the full cooperation of the Unionist community respecting their culture and history.

[@danielbentham758]

@@michaelogrady1002 Catholic and protestant has nothing to do with a border poll be scary if it did. nationalist vote share is the only measurement.

[@berean1703]

The Republic needs to come out from the iron grip of the EU and truly become a self governing country. At the minute, RoI is run by EU bankers who have *ruined* RoI!

[@tadhgcronin175]

No one will be more loyal to the European Union than this one.

[@chrisosullivan6965]

Sinn Fein fully supported the Covid 19 operation and were paid to do so... They will all face justice..

[@johnwall1989]

Back to bed, Chris.

[@chrisosullivan6965]

@@johnwall1989 the vaccinated can't face the truth...

[@rachelkristine4669]

😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Londubh1]

Sinn féin have shot themselves in the foot on the Isreali question. They have shot themselves in the other foot on mass immigration. What a pity as I want a united Ireland. I want to see Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael taken out of Irish politics for good. The only party that had a chance of achieving that was SF. I may still give them a vote except if they have a foreigner running in my area. I will never vote for an immigrant. I will also vote for the new national parties but they will only get at best a few thousand votes. Not enough to replace SF.

[@ardri31]

When? The Chinese released it and no one's even looking at them lol

[@SnackAttack6]

We have only just got stormont back up and running, why allowing people to feel unsettled again so quickly?? The South is full in illegal immigrants taking the homes of the Irish people because of her, do we really want to go down that path

[@ardri31]

They are up here too

[@SnackAttack6]

@@ardri31 I haven’t seen them yet, but doesn’t surprise me as I’m not in a city, I’m only assuming they would more likely be in a city

[@ardri31]

@@SnackAttack6 put it this way, I was in Halfords 2 weeks ago and the people there were my uncle and I, and 2 groups of 2 Muslim African men. In my daughter's primary school there have been 5 new families brought into the school since the beginning of the school year from Africa and the middle east, none of whom speak any English.

[@SnackAttack6]

@@ardri31 wow thanks for that 👍 I didn’t realise they had reached here yet

[@ardri31]

@@SnackAttack6 no worries, theyve ramped it up this year for sure, with no signs of slowing

[@Patrickmorris80]

Hope this happens and by the time of my 50th birthday all being well , my grandma would be smiling at this x

[@johnbones261]

I refuse to vote for Sinn Fein ever again until Marylou Mcdonald is gone. I have voted Sinn Fein all my life. She's no nationalist.

[@taintabird23]

What is wrong with her?

[@TheTwosliceToaster]

Westminster blocked Scotland from having a referendum. I expect they will do the same to Northern Ireland as well.

[@_Phoenix3]

It's anti-democratic!

[@_Phoenix3]

Anti-democratic!

[@_Phoenix3]

It goes against the democratic process!

[@pgr3290]

Scotland had the referendum it asked for and voted no. If one was granted every time some incompetent nationalist asked for it then there would be one every ten minutes

[@aengusryan5948]

Thankfully it's not up to Westminster

[@tonyroe1670]

A United ireland. Will only happen if the democratic. Proceed with the will of the people. Education. Is the key. 4:53

[@triggerhappy1911]

Im an American so i have an extremely limited understanding of irish politics but ive seen a histoey chanel documentary about the troubles. Based on that i woul think it unwise to say "over my dead body" to sinn fein. Im sure all thats in the past. I really like what im hearing tho. I like the idea of a unified ireland. good luck sinn fein.

[@timheydon1131]

What does Irish unification matter when the country is 20% immigrant and more are flooding in.

[@Raj_Luthra]

Other than the whole of Ireland being re-united, hopefully soon the UK will change from a constitutional monarchy to a true democratic republic.

[@humptydumty4975]

I am surprised the presenter did not go pro isreal in that interview. Irish poliction was right about Israel

[@bossdawg1702]

Irish unity makes sense for the island forget religion or politics

[@joprocter4573]

No eu who wef dominance

[@pgr3290]

As long as Ireland doesn't expect any UK handouts to aid a transition or any increase in defence budgets spent for the zone. If the plan is to freeload then it'll fail. Northern Ireland trades more with Britain than it does Ireland and the EU combined. It would be very hard hit in any reunification, and would require massive amounts of Irish money pumping into it to actually integrate without collapse. If it happens then Ireland pays for it, every last cent and it must understand that.

[@RangoSmith-66]

I would have voted for this 30 year's ago . But now , NEVER ! Sinn Fein works fir the EU . Not Ireland or it's people .

[@slaneydog9182]

Mary lou traiter to the irish people

[@joekavanagh7171]

Because she's not a racist?

[@wynbrown5985]

Wouldn't trust Sinn Fein as far as I could throw them.

[@ClannCholmain]

😂 Talking about yourself again.

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

Agreed there Globalists not Irish patriots, they have zero loyalty to the Irish people only globalist WEF elites.

[@yammychops]

@@ClannCholmain Spouting rubbish is your speciality , ever thought of reading the lies out on RTE news...

[@ClannCholmain]

@@yammychops thinks Suella Braverman should be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom.

[@Lynda-z9v]

Tratiors to the Irish People, all of them.

[@samtaylor1387]

I'm Protestant and I am not ideologically against a united Ireland if it benefits myself and future generations but i cannot see any benefit and i am yet to see one other than the fact some people want it.

[@tomgreene1843]

Their might be benefits for a reconstituted Unionist party. They might well hold the balance of power quite often for the good of NI, They would have arguing rights over a much larger budget , rather than relying on Barnet. and on National economic plans. Many in the South would agree on non wokery! There could be cuLtural benefits ....but all of this must be enunciated and I have not heard it yet from SF.

[@ClannCholmain]

Once upon a time about a century ago, Belfast was bigger than Dublin, and industrial Northern Ireland was much wealthier than the poor agricultural South. Today the roles are reversed. Northern Ireland remains to a considerable extent dependant on handouts from London and is much poorer than prosperous Ireland. Dublin is now three times the size of Belfast and looks (unlike Belfast) like a thriving European city. Union with Britain doesn’t seem to have worked so well for Northern Island. One reason often cited for the dramatic change is the attraction of the Irish low tax regime for major US multinationals. However the UK itself is often associated with tax haven status (the Channel Islands and British Virgin Islands spring to mind, not to mention the "London Laundromat". In recent years - since 2016 - the considerable divergence in GDP per capita growth (in favour of Ireland) is more likely explained by the Brexit vote of that year, with Ireland now a more favoured route into the EU than the more isolated United Kingdom. David McWilliams, a notable Irish economist, wrote recently: “the truth is the union with Britain has been an economic calamity for Northern Ireland".

[@tomgreene1843]

And, some would say, for Scotland and the North of England .@@ClannCholmain

[@maireadkelly5752]

U have to end corruption in the south of Ireland its rotten

[@TheMasterTeddy]

If the Republic of Ireland had declared war on Germany in 1939, they would be a united island today. Churchill offered Irish reunification in exchange for their assistance at that time. Ireland declined and remained neutral, at the cost of a decades-long civil conflict in the North.

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

Why should the fight a war for someone else?

[@ronanmcallister1232]

lol... during WW1 the brits told the nationalists they'd get an independent Ireland if they fought with them. also told the unionists the opposite. so with all due respect the brits word is worth nothing to irish people ..

[@9kabuki]

🤡

[@irish7summits]

The Republic of Ireland didn't exist in 1939. It was the Irish Free State in 1939, still technically a dominion of the British Empire at that point albeit most of the links declared void via the newly passed Irish constitution of 1937. The move to a Republic and break with the commonwealth happened in 1949. I disagree with your statement for a number of reasons, but let's at least get the terminology right. Also the name of the state is Ireland (Éire in Irish). The description of the country is the Republic of Ireland (same as France can be described as the French Republic or South Africa as Republic of South Africa and so on - a description, not the name of the state).

[@kevingreenwood3026]

There is absolutely no way Chuchill would have delivered his promise.

[@Mahmad-u9m]

A United Ireland 🇮🇪 makes complete sense morally and economically colonialism is over.

[@surreyanglia268]

be much more room for all the foreign immigrants to colonise.

[@familyseed1555]

colonialism still exist.

[@geraldpayne8615]

As an Englishman I believe Ireland should be united

[@hunter98764]

It's none of your business but thanks for your input

[@jennycorkish773]

@@hunter98764 hurts much 😂 cry me a river

[@deanodog3667]

​@@hunter98764of course it's his business!

[@deanodog3667]

@@clownofthetimes6727 what polls ??

[@user-ze8yy8jg1f]

The dream is to have English join us against this plague on our country

[@terrylomax6799]

Ireland will need EU financial support to cover the cost of benefits paid out in Ulster. Four and a half million people will never be able to afford the taxation required.

[@joeduffy3309]

The UK will be paying for it for decades when it goes, just like the 40 billion it had to pay the EU, Like the EU, this is not a gym membership it can just walk away from, it has pensions to pay for example

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

Well Ireland got much higher GDP per capita than USA and 2,5 times higher GDP per capita than the UK, plus the support from the EU, so...That's all just a nonsense talk. Plus Ireland got 5,1 million people, and not 4,5. Entire island got slightly more than 7 million people. Northern Ireland will become 2 times richer than Scotland in no time at all.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

So how come so many younger Irish people are having to leave such a " rich " country ?? To provide free houses for EU approved illegals .?

[@ardri31]

​@@2msvalkyrie529probably because of the housing crisis, but anyone I know leaving uni is moving there despite that, only a couple go to England. Much better paid and healthcare in the south

[@joekavanagh7171]

That's a myth. If 26 counties can support 26, 32 can support 32.

[@Moneydoublez]

Ireland reunited is so amazing.

[@for111]

Well, it hasn't happened yet let's not jump to conclusions...

[@T5Zplayer]

Lay odds none of the 6 million living here will go home.

[@Moneydoublez]

@@T5Zplayer What is so good about living in the UK? I am curious to know.

[@T5Zplayer]

@@Moneydoublez Ask the 6 million Irish living here.

[@joprocter4573]

Which bit what is left or still standing??

[@thewaronu8842]

Unified under WEF rule that is

[@tadhgcronin175]

Precisely. She will be loyal to Klaus.

[@Ghostprocedure1]

Hope Ireland gets reunified! From a British person 😇

[@joprocter4573]

Should care about british northern irish since ice age descendants

[@Liam-xo5jp]

​@joprocter4573 Do the Unionist People in Ireland still think the Ice Age was during the 16th Century?? The Plantation of British Unionist People to Northern Ireland happened after 1610. This is not disputed by any Historians.

[@NemeczeK101]

Spoiler alert: They won't 🤪

[@joekavanagh7171]

​@joprocter4573 history clearly wasn't your strongest subject at school

[@maxpowerii7368]

Same, it will bless a new era of amicable Anglo-Irish relations.

[@kasikwagoma6740]

As an African woman, I fully support sinn fein and the Irish people for very obvious reasons which is the past and history...... The long list of British crimes against not just the black race, but others means I can never side with the British. I may side with individual British people, but that's it.

[@DropdudeJohn]

Because the blacks and the Irish never did each other any harm, go back to your own planet

[@TonySwaby212]

I'd say the English more than just British, given their crimes began and continue on against the Celtic people's to this day. But it's all gonna fall apart, the Celtic people, including the Brythonic from Cornwall will gain their freedom this century, bringing an end to a millenia long reign of terror of this settler colonial Germanic war loving tribe.

[@ChronicTheHempHog-mf3nh]

@@TonySwaby212no Scot’s committed crimes all over the world too 😂

[@TonySwaby212]

@@ChronicTheHempHog-mf3nh yeah, they joined in later no doubt!

[@IrishEyesAreSmiling]

United Ireland is the furthest from my thoughts atm. I certainly will not vote for her in next GE.

[@michaelgallery4582]

Id like to see Sinn Fein and the Dup showing unity and getting on with governance in the North and then and only then should we consider a referendum. Peace and mutual respect first and of course trust

[@TheGamerMuseum]

The DUP are absolute dinosaurs

[@maxpowerii7368]

DUP would never show unity with SF. They shut down the NI Government for 2 years to avoid a SF First Minister.

[@deadlevelwillie]

Sinn Fein are traitors

[@PiersMorgan1]

Unify Ireland !!!

[@andymcaleer4163]

A true leader, hopefully it will happen, should have never been separated, 💚💯

[@maxpowerii7368]

A testament to the fierce and proud nature of Irish women 🇮🇪💚

[@keithgreen9009]

The Irish government can't stand her and her cronies

[@stiofain88]

​@@keithgreen9009 If what the Irish government thought mattered that might be relevant.

[@trevorhart545]

IT wasn't but some TERRORIST COWARDS demanded it and have YET TO PAY the GBP Trillions that the Republic OWES the UK.

[@lenrman969]

McDonald and O'Neill are 2 of the smartest politicians around today.

[@bluedale6563]

Before a united lreland,,,,,,,,,,We need to sort out the Housing crisis and Migration and nubers of Refugees coming into lreland,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,We need fairness and balance and we need to sort out our badly run Health service,,,,,,,,,,,,We need to make it attractive for unionists to agree to a United lreland

[@joelizabeth12]

We wont ever agree to it

[@gerard7833]

I don't want a country like Eire it run by EU and homeless irish people

[@Jackclurichaun]

Remember mary lou... what happens to traitors.

[@airs1234]

I’d be sad to see NI leave the Union but it’s a matter for them to decide. We will still be neighbours and welcome them to Britain

[@2msvalkyrie529]

The Free Travel Area means Irish Citizens can travel and work in UK without any restrictions already !! And vice versa. It's been there since 1922 - despite the EU !!

[@ClannCholmain]

@@2msvalkyrie529European Union members have freedom of movement.

[@josephbland3904]

No chance.. if they wanna go it alone.. They ain’t welcome here… Damn ingrates…

[@josephbland3904]

Mores the Pity…

[@ClannCholmain]

@@josephbland3904 and what about the minority who don’t want to vote leave?

[@ModernFrontiersman]

Israel should be held accountable for any wrong done. And so should Hamas. I see no good guys in that conflict.

[@jimwest7107]

Can ROI even afford to have NI?

[@danielbentham758]

Costs the UK £15 billion per year to subsidise equivalent to £230 per person per year. The equivalent to ROI would be €3000 per person per year so no absolutely not.

[@_Phoenix3]

Ireland is one of the richest countries in the world!

[@danielbentham758]

@@_Phoenix3 Northern Ireland costs £15 billion per year to subsidise thats £230 per person per year in the UK equivalent to €3000 per person per year in Ireland

[@BarerRudeROC]

@@danielbentham758 €160 billion passes through the state untaxed from businesses every year. It is absolutely possible.

[@ChrisMurray-iw9ij]

Can't afford all the ambulances fire engines gritters police cars which all drive back to GB day one, NI tax payers haven't paid a tenth of the cost of all that GB owns it

[@PD-bx1hq]

As the Catholic from Belfast I will not be voting for a united Ireland

[@IrishSon]

As an Irish man, I would not be voting for a united Ireland in a Referendum either. Time to build that wall.

[@joeae6297]

I Have always had a certain affinity for Ireland and it’s wonderful people. Somehow I find Irish politicians more integral and more honest. McDonald is very straight to the point and respectful…my sort of politician.

[@karlbyrne6021]

@joe don't be fooled.

[@T5Zplayer]

Why not join NATO then?

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@T5ZplayerIreland has laws on neutrality and it has no interest in fighting imperialist American wars. More chance of Ireland joining the African Union realistically.

[@gerry2762]

Smugglers Paradise🏝️🏖️🚦⛽️🚦💊🎎

[@Jabberstax]

​@maxpowerii7368 It would expect America to come to it's defence though, wouldn't it 🤡

[@faizafernandez5728]

I commend her stance on palstine. May god give them justice. Amen. Israel needs to be held to account.

[@motoadventureuk5636]

She was Pro isreali for 2 weeks after 7th October

[@bobhope3817]

I will not comply If its what majority of Irish want I wish them the best

[@zxgeorger]

Bla Bla bal their party will be irrelevant if it ever happens....

[@pdalaigh]

.....Sein Fein has been around for a long time love....they are not going anywhere....

[@ChronicTheHempHog-mf3nh]

@@pdalaighthere whole existence is based on reunification 😂

[@Tricolori1986]

One of the very few politicians who actually answers the question she was asked, unlike our politicians. Hancock bragged about the tactics of running down the clock in interviews when the idiot was in the jungle.

[@cc4566]

She's all for open immigration. Lost my vote.

[@JohnSmith-ih5ph]

I'd love to see a united Ireland. Definitely not with this crowd. Their not public servants. No different than FF, FG Self serving.

[@taintabird23]

So who then?

[@tasha24-7]

How refreshing a politician heeding the polls and not wriggling! 🌺

[@AshHarkin]

Bs

[@TheTimdoyle]

She’s an absolute liar.

[@karlbyrne6021]

@tasha I'm an Irish man, staunch nationalists are ashamed of sinn féin, all they want is open borders & to flood Ireland with unvetted migratins. They are called the opposition by have agreed with the ff/FG+green party on EVERYTHING. Meet the new boss..... Same as the old boss.

[@TheTimdoyle]

@@sueyourself5413 Sinn Fein are supposedly a nationalist party however their manifesto supports open borders and they have publicly stated that there should be no cap on immigrants into Ireland. I could go on more about this ex-Fianna Fail member being only in it for power but I haven’t got the time to waste. Reminds me of wee krankie from Scotland.

[@lenrman969]

McDonald and O'Neill are 2 smart cookies

[@JJ2023.]

I don't always agree with her, I do appreciate a politician who answers questions clearly.

[@PhilS-r8e]

No one care about a united ireland, but yhey do care about teclaiming ireland from migrants refugees

[@Northumbergull]

Well expressed, Mary Lou! 🇮🇪 ✊️🙏

[@seanoboyle2234]

She should worry looking after the Ireland we already have.... She a sell out

[@thelolguy007]

It’s a pity she wouldn’t speak out more on this new ‘Hate Speech’ bill. That’s one of the most important issue in Ireland right now. But the Irish people won’t get to vote on this. The people are about to lose their Freedom Of Speech

[@joekavanagh7171]

Freedom of speech is one thing. Inciting hatred is another.

[@Blondie-ic3wo]

Ask the people what they want....

[@agubata1]

United Ireland...loading. From the River to the Sea...loading. The arc of the moral universe is long but it ultimately bends towards justice

[@MrPhantom1961]

Anyone who's obviously been smoking too much dope!

[@christianmccann9400]

Free Palestine!

[@roryoneill9444]

@@christianmccann9400 Yeah being Iran's b1tch-boy most be a pain in the arse.

[@trevorhart545]

@@christianmccann9400YES send ALL Palestinians to the Republic of Ireland! SOLUTION!

[@IrishSon]

⁠@@trevorhart545and then Ireland gives them all Irish passports and they can then travel to Britain hassle free 😂😂

[@dogmadogma5398]

Time for the Irish to secure their borders

[@SydBaron]

They can rename it Nigeria.

[@ClannCholmain]

😂 Okay racist.

[@Lynda-z9v]

​@@ClannCholmain He is speaking the truth, open your ears.

[@ClannCholmain]

@@Lynda-z9v yes it’s true, he’s a racist.

[@joekavanagh7171]

How many Nigerian TDs are in the Dail?

[@SydBaron]

@@ClannCholmain The Provisional IRA murdered thousands of white Britons to, in the misguided words of Paul MacCartney, give Ireland back to the Irish. Now they want to give it to...so what was the point of spilling all that blood on both sides?

[@TimONeill-ui7pi]

That woman is a traitor to Ireland..

[@Sabhoh]

Conas?

[@kennyryan625]

@@SabhohSinn Fein are traitors. And they tried to delete women from the Constitution

[@karenmorgan5656]

Mary L is done in Ireland as SF the fact she thinks this is going to happens show just how out of touch they are. Her base voters are done with her and trying to be progressive with younger folk won’t happen as they won’t like your history with Gerry Adams

[@taintabird23]

Polls don't indicate that at all

[@stephenowens354]

History.....protestants in the North East threatened to create civil war if the democratic vote of Ireland be respected was that vote in 1920 or 21 i will have to google to leave G B but G B capitulated and partitioned they would not could not do that in 2024 it was the demise of Unionism

[@mikaham681]

I'm not a Sinn Fein fan but I do wish Ireland has a smooth path to re-unification. Its will be great for Ireland and great for the UK. Lets put all the troubles and division behind us.

[@joelizabeth12]

No it would not be great, there would be a bloodbath

[@Bruce-yv9tm]

Mary-Lou McDonald is amazing. Answers all questions directly, unambiguously and ethically. Great woman and politician.

[@paulphillips7834]

Idiot

[@simonlinton8123]

The sooner the UK can get rid of Northern Ireland the better. Even if the UK had to pay Eire a dowry.

[@johnnicolson467]

Hopefully Scotland as well Leave England on their own its what they want.

[@vickyingramnymann8543]

Then Humza can import all the Palestinians he wants.

[@surreyanglia268]

yes please then England can be free

[@lesliehall7683]

Great I really look forward to it

[@sirnigeloffarage9255]

I hope so........... 100% of us English are fed up with paying for Humza Useless' mistakes only for him to turn round and blame us when it all goes pear shaped for him.

[@schmitz4206]

I used to believe in the Union but Scotlands spending is already out of control they have higher taxes than England and still need subsidising by the rest of the UK they're going to take us all down with em

[@andrewclarkeinfo]

Clickbate title… “inside the next decade” would be from 2024~2034 not by 2030. Marylou herself should have clarified that point when 2030 was brought by my interviewer. All other recent interviews with Sinn Fein talk about next 10 years from now, not in before ‘20’s decade is over.

[@ENGLISHMURPHY]

Inside the next decade is 2030 onwards, the 20's is this decade 😂

[@rosearmstrongwoodroffe445]

This woman is deluded, her own people are revolting against her party, take a look at the news or indeed contact the Irish Independent Party.

[@TheGamerMuseum]

Latest poll says SF 28% FF 20% FG 19% where is the revolt? As with any top party they dropped a few points as some people get frustrated

[@keithgreen9009]

She is living in dream land

[@billcipherproductions1789]

Westminister would veto it.

[@kyleowen-smith3830]

Does anyone still believe in the UK other than colonial Brits or people of mixed British heritage. I have spent the last two decades in London but come from a proudly British colonial family that was spread across Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Like most young members of the family I was encouraged to come to the UK and touch base with my roots at some period. Young members of our family had been coming back to study and find a partner in the United Kingdom for almost two centuries - I came slightly later as a young twenty something just after varsity. London is home though I have spent a few years living in Inverness and Caithness where my moms family are from. And thought always made to feel very welcome by Scots I have made it clear that I define myself as British, thought raised in Southern Africa. When doing my DNA I was expecting a few familiy fibs to be revealed (after all our first ancestor went to Cape Town in 1815) but instead was shocked how true to family narrative the results were. 45% British and NW European, 32% Scots, 8% Swedish 12% Norwegian (ie Scots from the North East and my dads family being English from Norfolk ie the Danelaw). And 1-2% Ghana-Cameroon-Tago genes that link to the tale of my moms grandmother being sent to Southern Rhodesia to avoid scandal after falling in love with her posh Aberdeen family man-servent, who was said to be a man of some colour from Guernsey. Thought Scotland (and London if she counts) is where I feel I fit in best, I do truly believe in the concept of Great Britian. Even if I can appreciate further equity of power is definitly needed. So when I see comments like there are here, it saddens me to think people are not truly appreciating the concept of Union and how it made all the home countries better. To just be English, Scots, Welsh or Northern Irish will make just another cluster of little european countries. Britian was more than that because we got the best of each other. Look at Austria and Hungry and where that went ...

[@DavidDougan-j1m]

Health insurance is difficult in those countries?

[@sandrabrowne2350]

Ireland existed before England was an entity Christian in the 5th century, GB as a polity came about in the 17th century union with GB in the 19th century always against wishes of the majority of Irish people now prefer union of EU 🇪🇺 the days of imperialism over Scotland Wales will make their own destiny hopefully unification of Ireland soon in a progressive Europe not a colonial "Commonwealth" beloved by Tories and Unionists yesterday's people!

[@casslane3932]

nothing will change with sinn fein or the current parties they proved that im not voting for the parties that have ignored the problems

[@richardcooley9730]

This interview shows why women should be allowed to rule the world, respectful, inciteful and in no way divisive, if only UK politics ran at this level.

[@tomgreene1843]

As in Thatchers UK ..Liz Truss ....and at a more local level the Irish national broadcaster RTE!

[@joprocter4573]

She is intensly hatefilled war monger

[@nmsports01]

Women rule with emotion Men rule with logic Or so I thought 😂😂

[@LL-vk9zc]

Insightful, perhaps but it's mostly the men who incite violence.

[@muckraker7942]

Strange because when I watch the Kardashians I don’t draw the same conclusions about women at all.

[@brianhiggins7630]

Does anyone else have a say, the assembly is only back, give the people a chance,