NI: Michelle O'Neill predicts Irish unity vote within a decade

Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O' Neill has told Sky's David Blevins that the province has begun a "decade of opportunity", and a vote on re-unification with Ireland could happen within 10 years.
Northern Ireland was separated from Ireland in 1921 with a built in Protestant majority, after pro-UK unionists had threatened civil war.
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[@mariaboden4658]

Did anyone ever refer to the male first ministers as grandfathers? What a ridiculous and patronising way to end this interview. Well done Michelle for treating this man with respect despite the inappropriate nature of his questions and comments at times.

[@adamsmithintin2803]

How is that disrespectful?

[@bmcb3064]

KAREN ALERT!!

[@user-rs4rw6oo3v]

Squatters out!😅

[@antnam4406]

DUP must regret their Brexit support. Brexiters keep losing.

[@Weakeyedominant]

I think they are that stupid they probably don't and think it was the Tories who sold them out. I remember telling DUP supporting Brexiteers back in 2015 voting to leave was the worst thing that could ever happen to the union and the idiots still backed it when nationalism was on the decline and the DUP won a record number of seats when their leader was seen as a modernising moderate unionist.

[@michaeltagg492]

Absolutely right! Michelle O'Neil stated in 2016 that even though Brexit would make reunification more likely Sinn Fein was against it because it would be bad for the whole of Ireland. Well she has been proved right!

[@vonryansexpress]

I think the biggest loss was for Remoaners . . . We had a Referendum - The poorly educated, socially isolated and ignorant Remoaners and their campaign of bigotry lost . . . They have still lost, yesterday they had lost, tomorrow they have lost . . . Remoaners lost . . . Thats right, they lost . .

[@patricklawson9756]

​@@vonryansexpressAll research has shown that Brexit supporters are less educated than remainers

[@eckie4679]

@@vonryansexpresseverybody has lost. Open your eyes. An X-Factor style vote on a subject too complex for the vast majority of England to understand. Only devious politicians with an agenda would agree to this. They’re laughing all the way to the bank - at your and the vast majority’s expense 🙄

[@simonc7982]

The best of luck to her. I was brought up in the unionist tradition but I must say I think Michelle is great - pleasant and respectful of all traditions. Reunification wouldn't be a bad thing as long as all traditions are respected - and if the deal was right, particularly as part of the EU. The TUV are showning themselves to be true dinosaurs, hopefully they will wither on the vine....

[@maxpowerii7368]

End of the day the orange of the Tricolour stands for Protestant faith so it’s incumbent duty of all Irishmen to ensure the civil rights of Protestants and other faiths is respected in the new united Ireland like it was for Southern Protestants during creation of the Free State.

[@crw45able]

I'm from a unionist background too but the differences between Michelle and Jim Allister were all too stark yesterday. One was reconciliatory and one bitter. Glad some of the DUP have seemed to have distanced themselves from him.

[@stephensmith4480]

This Lady seems to be The Real Deal and I just hope she can deliver on all that she said for ALL the people of Northern Ireland, it's a place that is very dear to my heart as I spent best part of 20 years in Belfast

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

Northern Ireland must be allowed to keep it's netball team, but the two football teams need to go. There should be an All Ireland football team.

[@SteveLoughran]

Once the immediate crises under control , it might be time to start looking at how it would be possible to be British within Ireland -a mirror of what the GFA delivered for the nationalists. Don't think the DUP would be the people to start that conversation though.

[@ukrainiipyat]

O'Neill has the unique courage of a fighter, but the tact and patience to see the long term goal without the violence and rancour. Ballots not bullets.

[@johnmckee3841]

Slava Ukraini brother

[@christopherflux6254]

Yes. If that border poll does happen, I hope she is involved

[@warrenpaine]

So far bullets haven't done anything to get Eastern Ukraine back from the Russians.

[@smitus_hell7564]

im in the UK and support a united ireland, it would be best for all. everytime i hear michelle, she seems to be a great leader. dosent waffle on like our mp's etc. good luck to her and ireland

[@martysmith5260]

Ireland is one island, one people. Northern Ireland will become northern Ireland again!

[@Lando-kx6so]

IF the majority of people there and in the Republic truly want that it will. I believe most people in the UK are fine with that.

[@fishyq5077]

Why not respect the vote of the Irish people in 1918? The north was fabricated to create an artificial unionist majority. Time for the British to exit Ireland, like they did Hong Kong and everywhere else. @@Lando-kx6so

[@murpho999]

@@Lando-kx6so Not a question of people in UK being fine with it. It’s already enshrined in Good Friday Agreement which has already determined that’s how it will be and it’s not up to the Uk.

[@colincampbell4261]

ProvoSF forget that only 30% want a UI.

[@colincampbell4261]

It is up to a UK minister to call for a border pole, only 30% want a UI.

[@capri2673]

Plot twist. Irish Republic says "Er, we're not really that bothered". There seems to be this natural assumption that every southerner wants a united Ireland. I'd be interested in hearing what southern Irish people think about this.

[@willywonka111]

The vote to unify in the South will be tight. The truth is a lot of people here simply don't want to deal with the north due to violence likely flaring up again and the fact that NI is a massive financial drain on the UK which would be transferred to the Republic of Ireland.

[@jameskiely8703]

I'm from the southernmost county, Cork and I REALLY dont want the North we pay enough taxes as it is

[@fanore8109]

I am from the south of Eire .100% a United Ireland to finally end English occupation of the North of Ireland

[@hushsky]

From the south and yes 100% want reunification

[@sockjuice8795]

I'm from ROI and the only reason I would vote for a united Ireland is to be rid of the English occupation of the Six countries of my homeland, which were stolen from us.

[@andrewackerley9985]

Best of luck. No more fighting please. i'm English who'd love to see Ireland united again. The division that exists today, is just silly.

[@Ryan-fq9dj]

There isn’t really much division nowadays, most get on with their lives with just a few select areas living in the past

[@williamcreighton1417]

As a protestant expat and coming home to vote yes to a united ireland

[@t.d108]

Wow! I’m an American and she makes me feel proud to be of Irish descent! I’m wishing and praying for her and Ireland!

[@davidfoster2006]

Hope so Northern Ireland is heavily subsidised by the rest of the U.K. the rest of Ireland can take up this responsibility.

[@cormaccarroll]

And dont forget we have a club of 26 other friends who will help too. Its nice to have close trading friends and not be sitting on our own as our small businesses collapse.

[@Jhimself]

​@@cormaccarrolland the USA 🇺🇸

[@emiliatwomey6814]

NI is a failed entity proped with UK tax. In a UI there will be significant reform of the province so costs will dramatically reduce.

[@hey12542]

​@@Joeyknows924And me 😂.

[@anniegrath1417]

Yes I think Ireland will do a better job then we Brits ever did there, it has been a disaster and a drain on us Brits, I suppose we are handing back a mess to Ireland but they will be financially helped by the EU and the USA!

[@tomaslane6018]

So funny. The interviewer asked if the events of the past were wrong if he felt that was a fair point he himself would have begun this by apologizing for his country past.

[@taekwanlew]

The irony is always lost on these interviewers

[@Irishman0855]

They never accept there past just point fingers

[@joprocter4573]

Interviewers should be unbiased in themselves.

[@exercisethemind]

We will turn the other cheek. And continue moving forward. ♥️🇨🇮

[@cosimocub]

yes like the Irish American frontiersmen on the natives

[@joeduffy3309]

If the British and the Unionists are so confident that the majority want to remain in the UK let's have the vote and put the matter to bed for another few generations.

[@bmcb3064]

A pole now would destroy any chance of a united ireland for a long time…nationalists have to be mature about this and not get emotional…easier said than done for a few of them

[@joeduffy3309]

​@@bmcb3064 Polls now suggest numbers are running at almost 50/50 give or take a few percentage points eitherway. With a rigorous campaign from every party in the south, and half of them in the north along with huge support from the EU and USA for a yes to reunification, it would comfortably pass in the morning regardless of the dog whistling from unionists and threats from a few dozen drug dealing "loyalist".

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@joeduffy3309pretty much true but I’d suggest we still wait a year or two just to ensure comfortable ‘Yes’ victories. Every year more and more nationalists reach voting age.

[@jimwatson7238]

​@@maxpowerii7368Are there any no unionist reaching voting age.?😄

[@Mike7O7O]

What have the Poles to do with Ulster? @@bmcb3064

[@dogzero1]

This is fantastic news for us all in the UK. Ireland deserves to be one nation. The DUP and other silly religious unionists have ruined not only NI but the UK too with their Brexit support. Good riddance I say and roll on a new ear when Ireland is whole again.

[@christopherflux6254]

Personally I’m not bothered either way. I want whatever the people of Northern Ireland want. My only concern with re-unification is that it could get violent and chaotic. It doesn’t have to be though. As long as people can choose Irish or British citizenship or both, and the human rights of all are respected, then I don’t see what the issue is.

[@dogzero1]

@@christopherflux6254 The only people who will get violent are the sore losers who will be out-bred, the protestants.

[@tubsymcghee7169]

If only Ireland could be a region of the planet, rather than a nation-state. If only it could have genuine self-government.

[@hey12542]

Good for Ireland if that's what it wants, and hopefully they will be happy. Probably won't be good for any Irish 🇮🇪- English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 relationship though, they're an Anglo phobic party so Ireland will essentially become a hostile state to England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. I think we'll see things like special arrangements being ended and Ireland 🇮🇪 being forced to defend it's own air and sea space as well as an end to the common travel area meaning all the Irish 🇮🇪 citizens here either applying for settled status or being deemed illegal immigrants, the same for the English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 in Ireland 🇮🇪. We'll have to just watch the events unfold but I think if it's something Ireland 🇮🇪 wants then it's good things for them. Personally I'm of the opinion Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 should all be independent and just have to live as neighbours.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

@@hey12542neighbours can be good neighbours. To the extent that SF may be perceived as anti-British or anti-English, it is useful to point out that that SF, even if the largest party north and south, do not have support of much more than 25% of the vote and the vast majority of people in Ireland see Britain as a neighbour even if they do not understand why they voted to leave the EU.

[@joaobaptista8377]

make a Single United Ireland from Cork to Belfast

[@warrenpaine]

And from Derry to Kerry.

[@SH-cu9rc]

She is fantastic. Positive energy.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@zeddyteddy3729]

Even if a united Ireland did come into existence, It would not be a smooth and easy event. Even if the vast majority of Ulster unionist remained peaceful during this time... If a very small minority of Ulster unionist decided to put up an armed response, The Irish state wouldn't be able to cope with it. That is the *FACT* The irish defence forces are under funded and under equipped, and under manned. There are barley 6,000 troops at the moment. How can they deal with it? They couldn't! Please understand this very real fact. A legal democratic yes vote for a united Ireland doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be smooth sailing.

[@GerryAds]

Are they still called Ulster Unionists if they live in Cavan, Donegal or Monaghan, or would they just be called Irish? Would a Unionist live in that part of Ulster or would they cross the border into Northern Ireland? Ulster is not Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland is not Ulster, never was and never will be.

[@9inchsnails829]

​@@GerryAdsWhat about Louth? Sure it was once part of Ulster?

[@GerryAds]

@@9inchsnails829 hasn’t been part of Ulster for over 400 years. But given the republican history of the Wee County, I wouldn’t think that too many people living there would describe themselves as Ulster Unionists. Thankfully, Unionists on our island are largely confined to Northern Ireland, although the sectarian Orange Order does hold an annual fancy dress walk in Donegal to mark the 12th.

[@stetomlinson3146]

It’s a fact that to be successful a terrorist organisation, which is what it would be, needs the support of the population it operates in. In this day and age are there really sufficient numbers of Protestants that would feel that strongly to take up arms? I’m not sure. It might operate for a year or two but the vast majority would see it changes nothing to their everyday lives, and it would die off.

[@northmanlogging2769]

take away the support of the police, and england, the unionists wouldn't have enough funding to suport 600 terrorists let alone 6000, and lets not forget how long it took the IRA to go from 2000 members to over 200000 after just one mass casualty event, the unionists have always been outnumbered, they were just well funded, and well protected.

[@philwilliams953]

I'm from the UK. A united Ireland coming about by peaceful, democratic means would be a great lesson for the whole world.

[@MrPoetemaudit]

Looking forward to a united Ireland...hundreds of years of brutal English colonial history will finally bite the dust!

[@colincampbell4261]

Ffs stop romanticizing

[@dc-oo5dz]

Tá ár lá at teacht

[@michaelmoran2022]

Not gonna happen dream on🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@MrPoetemaudit]

Beidh Éire saor ar deireadh!@@dc-oo5dz

[@nicholasmassey6941]

If anything, Ireland should be part of the uk. But i very much doubt NI is going anywhere.

[@taekwanlew]

A unified Ireland and an indépendant Scotland. The future is bright

[@Channel-M-Default-23]

Then what? What exactly has Ireland contributed to the world?

[@ajcinstalls]

It's never gona happen. The Irish economy can't handle, nor does it want to have to deal with that scenario. It's definitely not going to happen if NI is a free access route to the EU for GB. They'd never give something of that value away

[@fernando7517]

The goal of Brexit was to dismantle the EU, but the UK is splitting apart instead. Congratulation Brexiteers 👍👏👏 Well done guys!

[@Lando-kx6so]

Independent Scotland will never happen but a unified Ireland possibly.

[@Lando-kx6so]

@@fernando7517 It's not at all nor was brexit about dismantling the EU

[@alexanderv7702]

Had the Unionists not been divided this would not have happened.

[@scharfoskar3254]

Brexit was a waste of time... I uk had remained ..this would not have been a question

[@Ryan-fq9dj]

Unionist leaders haven’t got a clue what they are doing, whereas Sinn Fein have their heads screwed on. Unionism is in shambles and has been for a while now

[@AChapstickOrange]

Had Ireland not been divided this would not have happened.

[@ArhipDroid]

As an englishman i would live to see north and south one, save the uk much

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

Michelle O'Neill and Mary Lou have made the difference to Sein Fein's public face and both are very smart and articulate women nobodies fools either of them

[@BIGBAZ07]

I like her she's class

[@AlanDu-js7ch]

HERE WE GO

[@michaeltravers6109]

The British annexation of my country has ripped my heart apart 💔. 🇮🇪

[@StreetsOfRage2]

No it hasn't.

[@alexanderkowal5710]

Okay Michael

[@joprocter4573]

Sick outdated

[@michaeltravers6109]

@joprocter4573 A divided nation can never reach its full potential, because it is divided, and that basic fact is never outdated.

[@michaeltravers6109]

A divided nation can never reach its full potential, because it is divided, and that basic fact is never outdated.

[@StratsRUs]

This is a gem

[@garethcarr4345]

A border poll this generation would risk unleashing dark sectarian forces that for 25 years have laid dormant. The Scottish and EU referenda created bitterness and division where none existed previously and raised far more problems than they solved, can we realistically expect a border poll now to settle anything? I hope that these are just words from O’Neill to keep supporters happy and that in reality Sinn Fein is wise enough to understand that a border poll is a hornet’s nest that nobody should want to kick. The troubles need to have passed from living memory before anyone seriously considers opening this Pandora’s box.

[@tempejkl]

There’s already bitterness and division.

[@garethcarr4345]

That’s the point @@tempejkl

[@Macca-rb5ok]

Yes. Democracy must be respected. If Nationalists are able to respect democracy, I'm sure unionists can. "NI" as a territory is the source of all the bitterness. It was set up in an undemocratic way, it was set up for sectarian reasons. Once it is democratically voted out of existence, the reasons for bitterness will be gone.

[@garethcarr4345]

I think it is optimistic to the point of naivety to think that centuries of hatred will be erased by a simple vote. Also, all nationalists can respect democracy so I doubt all unionists will be able to. Thousands of people were killed by nationalists trying to enforce their will on the majority from 1969 -1997 and periodic attacks and murders take place to this day.@@Macca-rb5ok

[@dwansbo]

Both the First Minister and her deputy have something unique in common. Their feminism, and with that goes a greater ability to care for and nurture those in their charge. By working together they can succeed at taking the conflict out of politics and look at government from an entirely new perspective.The stage is set to improve not only conditions in NI but with North/South cooperation the entire Island will benefit. It would be a mistake to slavishly follow trends in Britain at the current time. A new chapter has begun.

[@1961krm]

Britain at one stage controlled India Australia,America Canada etc in fact most of the world but things change and Ireland is on the same journey . We all want peace ,prosperity and security for our families and what we have to decide how best to achieve this . For my part the British government don’t really care about us , nor the Scot’s or maybe even the Welsh . Time for the next step forward in history

[@alexanderkowal5710]

As a Brit I agree, either balkanisation or a proper union of equals not centred on Westminster, maybe a confederacy

[@billyfullwood4974]

Cornish too.

[@MrMielten]

Spot on!

[@christopherflux6254]

The British government doesn’t even care about working class English people either.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

Scots and Welsh are British. They participated fully and willingly in the British Empire.

[@Irishman0855]

Onwards to a new Ireland brothers give the sinners a chance on both sides of the border one thing for sure they can’t do any worse and I’m sure they’ll do a great deal better🇮🇪💚

[@ThePensivePeril]

An open-border 'Nationalist'.

[@Pelennor]

Can't see the two thirds of Ulster, amalgamating with the rest of Ireland anytime soon.

[@franktreml3145]

The Irish border is the sea around the island of Ireland. One day reunification will happen. Well done Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Fein

[@BIGBAZ07]

Very good talker natural shes a keeper that one

[@John_Bradbury]

It makes sense for the future if they can get over past history and religious sectarianism.

[@kevonslims7269]

She’s a grand mother?

[@fishyq5077]

Yes. She was a mother at 16.

[@user-wc4si7ep4y]

There's no point anyway the way your party's open borders policy in Ireland is going there won't be any indigenous Irish left

[@ULYSSES-31]

Oh look another bot.

[@johnnybgood5836]

100%

[@rest_your_pretty_bones]

So the answer is... keep the british involved? Makes a lot of sense lol. These bots are wild

[@tarewaste]

Ireland, Israel, India/Pakistan, the British have left troubles in every country they have invaded.

[@joprocter4573]

They also left a great deal of good

[@liamduff88]

Ireland should start discussing this at an EU level and secure EU funding for reunification. Without which it would be a hard sell in a referendum in the south.

[@colinsmith1288]

Then the eu would be interfering with a third countries soveriegnty. Not a bright move.

[@liamduff88]

@@colinsmith1288 no, the Good Friday agreement makes Irish unification a certainty. EU should support Ireland to make sure it’s a success. It’s a wonder why the uk even wants to hold on to NI considering the financial burden.

[@colinsmith1288]

@@liamduff88 Unification is a choice not certain. If that does not happen then lreland and the UK could and should have joint governance of Northern lreland. Then there are matters of defence. Ireland has no meaningful defence force and the UK is obligated to protect Northern lrish citizens from outside threats. Ireland is incapable of doing so. Unless the lrish government can offer free universal healthcare to the Northern lrish l doubt unification will happen. No one in Northern lreland is going to want to pay 50 or 60 euros per visit to a doctor. Nor pay towards the very expensive healthcare system that quite frankly is every bit as bad as the Uk's except ours is free. Privately to see a urologist in the UK would cost me 270 quid. But on the NHS I will be seeing him for free this Wednesday.

[@liamduff88]

@@colinsmith1288 the boarder poll would only happen once there is confidence that the result in Northern Ireland would be for unification. Then there is the matter of the Irish public and that would likely need a referendum to decide aswell. The Irish health service functions better than the current system in NI, the waiting time for a hip replacement in NI is 8 years at the moment!! Paying 50 euro to see a doctor is not a big deal to most people if they can afford it an need to see a doctor. If one cans afford it they can get a social card which gives them free doctors appointments. Perhaps one of the reasons the NHS is struggling is because many people go to the doctor when they don’t really have any medical reason to?

[@colinsmith1288]

@@liamduff88 The problem with the NHS it has an outdated model of care. 1948 from it's inception. Plus we have a growing population our NHS cannot keep up with. As for re unification if the northern lrish reject such a proposal how do the the Uk and lreland move forward. Joint governance would be the sensible solution. Even in the Uk some shops have euro and sterling prices so a joint use of currency is already plausible. Many lrish and yes british too are having to go abroad to have hip and knee replacements. The baltic countries are cheap by comparison. As there is an eu sea border already in the lrish sea it makes trade cooperation very viable in a joint enterprise of governance. I suspect the Uk would align many of it's laws and regulations with the eu. We already have the common freedom of movement between the two islands and many customs and laws are similar. The main objective is to appease the nationalists and the unionists. There are still riots going on in northern lreland over such issues and it would not take much for it to become more sinister.

[@daveymc172]

Forget the flower of Scotland, this lady is a flower of Ireland 🇮🇪 🎉UK 🇬🇧...may god give her strength to give peace and unity, love and respect to all.

[@GerryAds]

She may be a flower of Northern Ireland, but not Ireland - two separate countries.

[@azalith8645]

UK couldnt care less about NI

[@Channel-M-Default-23]

I believe the UK does care. I personally lived through the troubles and watched British soldiers beaten to death by the IRA, I am now 63 years old, and will never forget that day those two soldiers were murdered. Northern Ireland is British terrorty and nothing to do with the Irish.

[@colinsmith1288]

Yes we do. But we are also aware only half of the northern lrish want to remain in the Uk. So the only solution is joint governance by Britain and lreland.

[@ssuwandi3240]

NI should be designated as Free Trade Zone rather than getting taxed and checked twice.. I can only see that as a win win approach within reason

[@WjfhdhShshshsh]

​@@Channel-M-Default-23those two soldiers that left loyalist bombers attack a cemetery they sat and watched

[@seamusmchugh5906]

Shouldn't have invaded us then...😅

[@ryanf6530]

1970s - "Irish unification is coming in the next few years." 1980s - "Irish unification is coming in the next few years." 1990s - "Irish unification is coming in the next few years." 2000s - "Irish unification is coming in the next few years." 2010s - "Irish unification is coming in the next few years." 2020s - "Irish unification is coming in the next few years."

[@Macca-rb5ok]

2020s - "SF is the biggest party"

[@NoobNoob1986]

I know ill be voting for reunification. ❤

[@joekavanagh7171]

So will I.

[@Powertoyah32]

Same here

[@Kaylor_Ryan]

👎

[@user-jf6bh9fu4v]

As a citizen of the Republic I suggest not to worry about this prospect. It will not happen until the North and South of Ireland wish it, and the South has no interest in taking on the liability that is currently Northern Ireland. Our general concern eased with the the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement which took a major step towards removing the apartheid nature of previous administrations. It is a pity that the UK opted for Brexit.

[@roberthayes3009]

Partition is Wrong and its Immoral, A United Ireland is an Honourable Aspiration, We all should be Persuaders and United Irelanders, as that's the best solution for All our people, Everyone should Google MODELLING IRISH UNIFICATION and ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF A UNITED IRELAND

[@roberthayes3009]

What type of an Irishman Promotes The Partition of Ireland?????????

[@Macca-rb5ok]

Your views are very different to opinion polls and all the people I talk to.

[@user-ze8yy8jg1f]

Estimates in the Republic have unity at 70 percent

[@user-jf6bh9fu4v]

But look at the results when they were asked to pay for it. My own expectation is that the post brexit arrangements in the north will be so beneficial over time that they will find it hard to forgo those advantages.@@user-ze8yy8jg1f

[@johnoriordan7419]

Why would anyone want to join the Republic, the cost of everything, no housing except for people who are not local

[@maxpowerii7368]

It’s wealthier than Northern Ireland. NI would actually boom.

[@TOFB]

The HPI of Ireland is a very good measure of why they would want to join. One of the best countries in the world to live in.

[@shaneheff5244]

The average household disposable income and average life expectancy age is higher in the Republic than NI.

[@johnnotrealname8168]

​@@maxpowerii7368It would at least momentarily drag down the Irish economy.

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@johnnotrealname8168 depends on what deal is struck with EU who would likely want to see investment into NI themselves.

[@jambojam25]

I love this woman's courage, shes beautiful with golden heart wishing her all the success.

[@tomgreene1843]

A very interesting prediction .... Mary Lou could not predict what she would do if she attained power relating to Drew Harris were he still to be in office.

[@smokinvibes]

Níl ciall ar bith le deighilt na hÉireann agus ní théann sí chun socair dóibh siúd atá ina gcónaí ar an oileán seo.

[@colinsmith1288]

It's all Irish to me.

[@Londubh1]

Tá sin ceart.

[@NedNew]

Nó i bhfocail eile, ní neart go cur le chéile.

[@Liam-xo5jp]

Maith sibh go léir a chairde.

[@jackoconnor5760]

​@@NedNew"Ní neart go cur le chéile" translates literally as "not strong until put together." Translated idiomatically it means "stronger together."

[@paullarne]

I suspect there's about 25 years to go, maybe more. A United Ireland necessarily needs to be all inclusive, including 1 million Northern Protestants. That's a far from simple proposition, not just absorbing the 6 counties into the 26. A border poll is just the beginning of a long negotiation and the South will need to share its new found wealth to make it happen.

[@MariaOC1_]

We've churches of Ireland in the South living harmoniously for decades.

[@paullarne]

@@MariaOC1_ I know, we're not starting from a zero base, but still some barriers to break down to amke everyone feel equally welcome.

[@joekavanagh7171]

All the traditional barriers to unity are now gone. Home Rule is no longer Rome Rule. The quality of life in the republic is now better than that in the north. However some dyed-in-the-wool unionist backwoodsmen would rather starve and stay British than prosper in a united Ireland.

[@fishyq5077]

In 1985, what was your prediction for the unity of Germany? Things can happen very quickly, sometimes. When the London government decides to pull out, it can happen very quickly. However, it is probably 10-20 years away.

[@mortie638]

It’s easy. The protestants have to go back to where they came from, i.e. England. Ireland is for the Irish.

[@smitus_hell7564]

ireland is an island and so is the uk. let them decide their futures them selves. let the old ways die. we are not an empire anymore

[@PatrickJOHanlon]

What about the voters in the Republic that think.a United Ireland would be too costly. Personally I would prefer to see an agreed Ireland first.

[@tubsymcghee7169]

Irish capitalism is still capitalism. An Irish state remains a state. Even if a united Ireland somehow happens things will continue to deteriote for working class and marginalised people, who would continue to be exploited and dispossessed etc.

[@maxpowerii7368]

Absolutely. James Connolly said much the same. A United Ireland ruled by capitalism is just a West Britain with green branding. But priorities…get the Brits out the North first and then create a United Irish Republic based on Irish socialist values.

[@alasdairmacmillan5359]

Time for reconciliation

[@johnogrady5298]

There will be but that shouldn't be the goal to race towards there are far bigger & greater issues for Northern Ireland to tackle first. A home grown, strong economy for one, the craziness that is Brexit for another. Heavy industry is gone from NI & tourism and the agricultural sector can only go so far. Northern Ireland needs to reinvent itself to be a thriving economy again. Doing that under a nationalist led coalition would be huge. Then a vote on unity would be a no brainier. Yes, the Republic of Ireland would also vote on same issue, at the same time & it would likely pass but ultimately it's those in Northern Ireland who would have to majority vote in favour of unity.

[@raymondoreilly3776]

Sadly a united Ireland is a long way off ..Can only be triggered by a minster of state who is a tory ..

[@joeduffy3309]

Labour will be in power for at least a generation after the next election

[@Trecesolotienesdos]

Well, Collins and de Valera would beam down with pride.

[@Rayk76]

And Arthur Griffith

[@jungleboots769]

🤔🤨🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@liamanderson1960]

I believe they would.😊

[@nicholasconnolly2227]

And so they should; IMO.

[@MariaOC1_]

If they listened to the women in the first place back then we'd be living in peaceful times sooner 🙄

[@padwah]

Im glad she respects the British culture cause it aint goin away

[@MrMielten]

It will gradually go away in a united Ireland .... for sure!

[@mortie638]

The ”culture” of the invaders will be banned in a unified sovereign Ireland.

[@hey12542]

​@@MrMieltenThink that's a very misguided view. Infact I think British 🇬🇧 culture in the pro union areas will get even stronger. Pro unionists won't stop being pro union just cause Ireland decided to unite. It doesn't work that way.

[@anniegrath1417]

@@hey12542What is British culture in NI?? Bon fires burning other nations flags and effigies of Irish politicians and silly men marching in oranges sashes that ain’t British culture sorry. Most of us in England want Irish unity we can’t keep bank rolling NI going forward!

[@capri2673]

@@MrMielten As if they're all that different, anyway.

[@joanesp100]

This woman is a solid politician! Make your mark Michelle!

[@truckerfromreno]

She's a traitor.

[@ernestocguerrera]

🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@Char13sBr0ns0n]

Ireland united

[@mr.coolmug3181]

I think NI would benefit by becoming a devolved part of ROI. Northern Irish can have both Irish and British citizenship, and rejoin the EU which they voted to remain in.

[@IWillYeah]

No more of that devolution crap. The north should (eventually) become like any other part of Ulster.

[@VectorTracker]

Why would we give up our position now? that's a question no one can answer.

[@mr.coolmug3181]

@@VectorTracker because your position is crap. @TheEarlsRenegade I'm not saying NI can't eventually become a full part of ROI. I'm saying devolution for NI in ROI would work for everyone: Irish, British, and Northern Irish. It would benefit all of us. What are the downsides?

[@SubscribeYouBatardss]

Ironic how they are called 'nationalists'' and the others ''unionists'' where in practice it's the other way round.

[@user-ze8yy8jg1f]

How

[@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.

[@yipzoe3865]

I hope that North Ireland, Scotland and Wales may stay in UK forever, unity is the strength of a country. The last Hongkong governor Chris Pattern is a Irish and Sir David Wilson, the governor before him is a Scottish , many colonial officers contributed a lot to Hong Kong' success were from different regions of UK, they worked in harmony to develope Hongkong from a fishing village to a very prosperous international city, I just don't want to see the split of UK. China hates UK very much, she always want to see the split of UK as I know

[@CuFhoirthe88]

The Empire is thankfully dead. We want to live in real countries now, nation-states with natural identities, not multi-racial Kowloons for the benefit of a tiny greedy and selfish oligarchy. "Britain" has always been a foreigner's concept of our archipelago. Saor Alba.

[@sillypuppy5940]

that's optimism

[@davidparedesserrano7749]

That optimism affects Spain. I think this kind of statement will encourage catalonian independentist groups to continue their delusions

[@aliasgharkhoyee9501]

Optimism about ending the occupation? Irish people should be able to vote on Irish reunification.

[@hey12542]

​​@@aliasgharkhoyee9501Yeah who says they can't? When a referendum comes up they'll all vote so your point is a bit pointless. And no one is Occupying Northern Ireland. It is part of the UK 🇬🇧 until a United Ireland 🇮🇪 comes about. Your comment is an insult to countries that actually are occupied.

[@danielbanbury378]

​@davidparedesserrano7749 the Spain issue is a bit difference because this isn't ultimately independence in the same way as Scotland or Catalan. This is joining another country. Sinn Fein aren't talking of becoming an independent Northern Ireland and joining the EU in the way the SNP did. Sinn Fein are saying to leave one nation and become part of another nation already in the EU.

[@sillypuppy5940]

@@aliasgharkhoyee9501I meant optimism about getting that referendum and getting the result she and her party wants. There is a considerable and growing number of people who are of neither camp, and those are the type that both sides will need to woo. Whatever else happens and whatever one's view of history, the current situation is unsustainable in so many ways.

[@austinmoore5481]

Best of luck Michael keep it lit 🇨🇮😂

[@mr.afrikaans1747]

Breaking News: Michelle O’Neil leads orange march. Violenceensues. It makes me laugh how she condemns the violence but she’s disagreeing by shaking her head.

[@rest_your_pretty_bones]

That whole "shaking your head while saying yes really means no" pseudoscientific nonsense has been known to be false for years. That's, like, 1960s pop-psychology lmao but go off

[@localreviewking134]

A united Ireland could be a huge challenge, like getting eggs out of cake after its`s baked. But, good luck to the people if this is what they really wish. A rocky road it might be, but maybe there`s a nice pub at the end of the journey.

[@alexanderwilliams6788]

It blows my mind that anyone could believe a Border Poll would be so simple and, most importantly, peaceful as all this conjecture people who are clearly not from NI are making. Anyone who has spent even just five minutes in NI knows, deep down, a Border Poll campaign and ensuing result would very quickly unravel two decades-worth of work to keep a lid on very fragile peace. With the greatest respect to her, she got 29% of the vote at the Assembly Election on an increase of just 1% of the vote. Hostilities, history and identity run deep in NI and she, nor Sinn Féin, are not going to win over Unionists (even the Unionist-light who make up the majority of Alliance votes) just because she is a fresh and seemingly pleasant face in politics. Personally, I think she is being hugely irresponsible by talking of any such Border Poll in such a way that will eventually goad Unionists probably to the point of collapsing Stormont again and we're back to square one. Yes, it's Sinn Féin raison d'être to argue for a United Ireland, it is their right and their end game but let's not get carried away and let sleeping dogs lie.

[@danprice7973]

Completely agree. Also, the deal NI has with both access to the internal U.K. market and EU gives it a great position in my opinion. And nobody is making NI stay in the U.K., it’s great that it is part of our family of nations and they are an integral part just as Scotland, Wales and England are

[@yermanoffthetelly]

Your forgetting about the other parties like SDLP, PBP, and Greens who are also nationalists. Calling Alliance voters "unionist-light" is simply incorrect. In the 2022 Stormont election, the Alliance vote transfers were 10.0% to unionists, 58.3% to nationalists/republicans, 8.7% to others, and 22.4% were non transferable. So if anything they are "nationalist-light"

[@Backpfeifengesicht45]

Too soon. I'd give it 20.

[@williamwallace4924]

Why does she keep going on about irish unification, there are far more important things in life than that.

[@anniegrath1417]

And why do the DUP keep going on about preserving the union when NI is in such a state??

[@williamwallace4924]

@@anniegrath1417 What?.

[@Thedodger23]

Fed up hearing about unity too.Is unity going to bring some sort of utopia?

[@williamwallace4924]

@@anniegrath1417 that’s all she is pro unity, nothing else i am afraid.

[@anniegrath1417]

@@williamwallace4924 and the DUP are anything other that preserving the union with the UK ?? No other substance to them except of course bleeding the British taxpayer dry!

[@godbyone]

Wow she is pretty

[@Channel-M-Default-23]

Seriously !!

[@godbyone]

She hope to keep it some Irish in Ireland

[@mogznwaz]

Honestly if loyal NI citizens want to come to England and Celtic fans/ travellers go back to Ireland we’d have a deal

[@michaeld.5699]

Real peace first ❤

[@jessepower]

If anyone is to unite Ireland, it'll be Andy Farrell

[@JDSileo]

Data of the Enterprise predicted it this year.

[@ytdertignulses201]

I think the Republic of Ireland will get very bad indigestion trying to absorb Northern Ireland and will not be the same country afterwards if it does manage it.

[@MrAvant123]

Very true, but I would glad to see Ireland pay for all of their costs - education, roads, Police, Health and social care..

[@truckerfromreno]

Ireland has already been destroyed by mass immigration.

[@lawrenceabbott5292]

Ireland would not be funtioning if it was not in the EU. I've got grandparents from both sides of the border and this women is very naive. Making Northern Ireland part of the Eire would create so much violence. It would also bring poverty. Ireland is not very good at major industry. Great at farming, the arts and being a low tax sector but not running major industries.

[@lyndon_daly1889]

Don't bend to the British government ever!

[@gottmituns813]

​@@lawrenceabbott5292 Maybe that's why Ireland is one of the richest countries in the world.

[@adambentley3171]

No surrender.

[@bigstones5710]

For what 15 minute cities and cbdc prisons to eat bugs

[@bennallen1602]

The republic of Ireland is in turmoil why would anyone join that

[@maryfox7440]

Good point

[@TOFB]

What turmoil?

[@amysands8925]

Soom the Republic of Ireland will be Islamic.

[@maryfox7440]

@@amysands8925 Marxist ideology..

[@shaneheff5244]

Rubbish. The Republic is thriving on many front. Our main issue is housing provision which is gradually improving.

[@aliasgharkhoyee9501]

Irish people should be able to choose Irish reunification. There are some really intolerant people in these comments.

[@timoconnor2344]

She is very good, not afraid to talk about the hard subjects

[@user-cp7gh8zj6b]

Free Ireland 🇨🇮

[@crazychicSHENA]

Revenue of religious affairs in Northern Ireland needs addressing😮

[@josebenito15]

Brexit it is not only getting UK poorer day after day.. It will also reunify Ireland sooner than some could think... So, definitely : Every cloud has a silver line 🎉

[@petelynas408]

What are the benefits of a UI?

[@cabaiste]

Many potential economic benefits ( check german reunification) . Stronger as one country politically. NI is a bit run down these days, services, roads etc are of a poor standard up there. The Republic is far from perfect but better than the north in many regards.

[@GerryAds]

So for Ireland, no benefits, just financial implications and increased security risks.

[@cabaiste]

@@GerryAds There is possible benefits for Ireland. We have also had a security risk for about 800 years now.

[@GerryAds]

@@cabaiste …but there is also the possibility of no benefits. Why risk stability for something as unnecessary as unification with Northern Ireland.

[@NoobNoob1986]

@@GerryAds because we are all Irish. One country one government one future. This is the way.

[@joni8090]

Bravo 🇮🇪 🙏 🇮🇪

[@22grena]

A united Ireland with the National Party at the helm

[@Londubh1]

It has taken decades for SF to get where they are now. It will take any other party at least as long. Don't hold your breath.

[@GerryAds]

How many seats have the NP won so far in General, Local and European elections?

[@jameskiely8703]

​@@GerryAdsI've never heard of them ngl

[@interabang]

One thing I've not seen mentioned is the mass immigration into the Republic. In 10 yrs that is going to be a lot worse, will it still be the same feelings on both sides of the border?.

[@PanglossDr]

What mass immigration?

[@stevenmcgee5683]

Boring bot

[@Weakeyedominant]

The immigration statistics don't lie. Unfortunately it's the immigrants getting the blame for the Irish governments failure to provide enough affordable housing for it's citizens especially in Dublin. Ireland has the money to build 100,000 affordable homes in and around Dublin every year. But restrictive and slow planning policies mean only a fraction of what is needed gets built and balloons rental prices which benefits all of Ireland's elected landlords.

[@user-wq6sz7vt3w]

Ruled by the British, then the Catholic Church, then the EU and then the mosques. Ireland is going nowhere!

[@interabang]

@@Weakeyedominant Most people don't want their own culture overpainted and to become second class citizens in their own country. That's the issue.

[@ciarandoc028]

A united Ireland will at first probably be tough, but for longevity it is the best cause of action to deal with the UK, USA and EU for higher leverage and worth. Can't change the past, but it's time to move forward. No matter what anyone says or protests, the island will eventually be united. Our ancestors who suffered for a country. culture and people they loved it's only right we become one again.

[@MC-lv6hh]

I would love to see a united ireland but sinn fein need to make sure and get the priorities of everyone right because there policies seem to be getting out of touch with what the people really want.

[@gottmituns813]

Go ahead Michelle, not a step back!

[@diyvideojunk2066]

The Irish Republic needs to be careful of what they wish for

[@sillypuppy5940]

Imagine DUP TDs in the Dail. NO! to everything

[@OneTrueScotsman]

Democracy? Autonomy? Their country reunified against an invading colonizing foreign country?

[@truefact844]

I sure the English would love it, N Ireland cost so much money… maybe the republic will fill it full of more migrants and multi gender strange ones.

[@gottmituns813]

​@@sillypuppy5940 Just like Sinn Féin at Westminster.

[@WjfhdhShshshsh]

​@@sillypuppy5940 dup won't be in the Dail Did we keep ne loyalist parties after independence? No Why tf would we allow a pro union party in our government that would cause riots across ireland

[@lw1zfog]

is she fully W.E.F. compliant, or no ?

[@kipdynamite4164]

Great representative of an amazing part of the world, and most definitely a GILF

[@RazorMouth]

Polls 😂 ehhh look whos first minister. Scottish independence support doubled from pre vote "polls" to the referendum result. I'd question who runs these polls and what their agenda is. Why do they get these divisive questions so wrong but then relatively accurate when it comes to general elections. Did they poll the tens of thousands of people from NI that live in the Republic? Of course not. Only poll that matters is a referendum and there will be one coming.

[@OneTrueScotsman]

Yup. And the support for the union, in Scotland, in 2023, is 46%. Down from 55% in 2014. Two thirds of all those under 35 support independence. Over half of those under 55 support it. The only two age groups who support the union, are the two oldest groups. Independence is in the bag. And I think it will be Starmer's government that finally kill off the union. Those hoping for better from Labour, are going to get a cold, wet, reality check.

[@danielbanbury378]

With the SNP to be fair to them they kept winning majorities, no wonder they assumed they would win. As it would seem there are Unionists who still vote for the SNP.

[@c1aran]

That's a real leader right there. DUP should take a leaf out of her book.

[@joprocter4573]

A real leader is one that puts up why ppl should elect them .... Any problems...do stick to what was put up..

[@c1aran]

@@joprocter4573 funny that because no one elected ELP lol

[@joprocter4573]

Can't tell me anything on that score

[@joprocter4573]

@@c1aran elp?

[@c1aran]

@@joprocter4573 Emma Little-Pengelly

[@simonrichardson5203]

Carried martin mcguiness's coffin absolutely wrong

[@mikki3562]

When she speaks of "irish unity" she is not speaking of British withdrawal, and the British know this very well. They have removed themselves from republican principles.

[@washerdryer3466]

Republican principles are and always were to acommmdate everyone. What's your plan, got any? No? Didn't think so. Spare us your principles lecture.

[@Zappy9518]

Of course that is what she means. The unification of Ireland is the withdrawal of the British political and military presence from the island of Ireland.

[@maxpowerii7368]

@@Zappy9518yeah this. Removal of British authorities is the first necessary step towards Irish unity. Otherwise it’s succession.

[@mikki3562]

Well if that is the case, why then does she never say it? Why is it not ever addressed to the British? Why accept the British narrative, that the Unionist entity, some of whom project themselves as a settler colony not unlike the Israeli settlers forever hostile to the Irish nation, and must be acommodated as though it was their right to veto Irish self-determination and independence? A false British narrative that was always rejected by republicanism, why accept it now? It is the British who must leave and not be allowed to pretend it is their settler attack-dogs in the unionist paramilitaries, who the Irish people need approval from. Administering British rule is not a path to Irish sovereigntyl.@@Zappy9518