Sinn Fein leader admits Northern Ireland Protocol is 'problematic'

The leader of Sinn Fein has admitted to Sky News that the Northern Ireland Protocol as it stands is causing problems for businesses.
Speaking on Sky's Beth Rigby Interviews programme, Mary Lou McDonald said "the fact that Brexit has thrown up this blizzard of paper, in some instances, is problematic".
Ms McDonald added that she "absolutely" believes a border poll - a referendum on unification - will take place within the next decade.
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[@cole0889]

She asks not to put words in her mouth, yet sky news can't help themselves. Shameful Sky & Beth

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@seanmagee5669]

@@kfhroe8262 👍100%: "BREXIT" IS the Problem. The "Protocol" is a result of "Brexit".

[@martinmanifold2241]

@@kfhroe8262 should be no one in northern ireland elected mary lou mcdonald

[@maginot2u]

this interview reminded me a bit of a cobra- mongoose fight. It was animated and hit on several important but emotionally charged issues. Beth kept up the lightening forays, the probing. Mary McDonald hit back with determination and steady resolve. Great entertainment!!

[@martinmanifold2241]

@@maginot2u beth rigby was holding back ..allowing MLD interupt too often

[@beltrofix7667]

As an ex unionist from Belfast I can honestly say I've never heard Mary-Lou give a proper interview. After watching her here I am completely stunned by how professional and sensible she seems. Particularly in contrast to what I've watched for the last decade or so by leadership in Northern Ireland with the DUP or Tories in the wider UK. Fair play to her, I would like to hear more from her and its wild how she makes me more at ease than any Unionist leader in the UK given I was raised unionist.

[@Ohaodhatirfothuinn]

Paisley was right when he said, Irish People don’t need to be ruled by Britain… An ironically it’s an O’Neill of the Red Hand of Ulster that is leading the way now for all of us… That’s a genuine statement!

[@corkboy4523]

@Ulsters pride and loyalty 🇬🇧 I’d say he was referring to the 6 Irish counties under British rule😉

[@corkboy4523]

@Ulsters pride and loyalty 🇬🇧 Britain is over there to the east. Those counties are in Ireland. Here endeth the geography lesson!😁

[@corkboy4523]

@Ulsters pride and loyalty 🇬🇧 Tá gaelige agam mo chara!😉

[@JohnBuckley1989]

@Ulsters pride and loyalty 🇬🇧 what a truly pathetic comment.

[@helenhunter4540]

Sky News headline: Sinn Fein leader "admits" NI protocol is problematic!! That's hardly a headline that reflects what Leader McDonald said.

[@peterdoyle1591]

Yeah! A sly title that does not reflect what Mary-lou said.

[@fifihamill9174]

Exactly my thoughts!! Shame on Beth/sky

[@eyeofagamatto3821]

That headline is garbage. It is false & biased. Plain & simple.

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@thedailyjab662]

Don't get too upset ...Boris just forced the met to look the other way with his covid carousing....I cant tell the difference between Belarus and Britain anymore....

[@rw2578]

I know so little about all this BUT I see a lady that I personally believe. She comes across as I wish all politicians would wish too. She is strong and I think she is wanting the best for people. Well done to this lady.

[@martinmanifold2241]

Sinn fein is a cult ...bit like scientology ...they believe their own bull and speak bull confidently . She doesnt like the fact that the Ni protocol can be changed

[@truthteller6267]

Don't be fooled.

[@ardri31]

@@truthteller6267 don't be a conspiracy theorist

[@joprocter4573]

Then she needs to investage how ira sinn fein operate in NI.. Let's have it is gun.. Bomb.. Fear or maybe a choice of knee caps. She's the leader so as bumbling as boris

[@fromireland8663]

@@truthteller6267 how is she fooling us ?

[@PerryUK]

Beth Rigby absolutely schooled.

[@DPK12]

Love the pigeon, is it a racer or breeder?

[@josephharley9448]

childish try say something original

[@turnpiketumbler8938]

I haven't voted S.F, but Mary Lou, is a political force in Ireland. Beth Rigby was clearly no match for her, simply batted away, with ease!

[@mikeOnTheChoob]

Rigby was almost seething, McDonald made her wig spin. And that title is complete clickbait. An absolute spanking. But hey, it must work on some gullible people...

[@turnpiketumbler8938]

@@mikeOnTheChoob Rigby got schooled, should be the correct title.

[@joprocter4573]

That is why corrupt ira sinn fein operate if can't convince confuse

[@ttadgh]

Mary Lou well able to handle herself. Very well spoken 🇮🇪

[@cmdrlevianova1485]

Even though she is wrong. She doesnt care about NI or she would favour even better access to UK market. Instead she opposes it so it will be easier for her to win a referendum 20 years from now.

[@bogbay]

@@cmdrlevianova1485 Stop talking out of your hoop botski

[@martinmanifold2241]

She isnt the first minister ....mary lou mcdonald is elected by NO ONE in northern ireland. I take it michelle oneill isnt allowed to speak

[@cmdrlevianova1485]

@@martinmanifold2241 i noticed mary lou was at that meeting for opening stormont too still no idea why

[@martinmanifold2241]

@@cmdrlevianova1485 yep ..she mentions democracy but is elected by no one in Ni ...

[@houmm08]

So Beth Rigby thinks that even though the Democratic Unionists made a massive, selfish mistake, they shouldn't have to live with it and everyone else needs to make concessions to keep them sweet. Right then. 👏 Mary Lou as always

[@martinmanifold2241]

Sinn fein did the same for a few years

[@martinmanifold2241]

Mary lou mcdonald has been elected by no one in northern ireland ...michelle oneill is the elected first minister and should be the only one speaking .

[@houmm08]

@@martinmanifold2241 come again???? She's the President and Michelle is Vice President of the majority party in the North of Ireland 🇮🇪. Her position as President means something 😉

[@martinmanifold2241]

@@houmm08 she is not the first minister of northern ireland , no one voted for her and she shouldnt even be allowed to step foot in stormont ....michelle oneill should be doing the talking .

[@mango5ful]

@@martinmanifold2241 awh poor orange man salty AF

[@georgebrowne5935]

What a States-Person TD. Mary Lou McDonald is, Intelligent, Honest, and Clear. There is no one going to outwit this Lady.

[@allsorts4041]

💯

[@user-ww1yg1fq5r]

She is a communist.

[@richardjonesm]

And this new Sinn Fein has a credible, fair and equable plan to unite Eire in a sensible timeframe - step by step

[@robert6106]

Your right there, those under housing pressure in Dublin will never get to stay in her garden shed never mind her west wing.

[@setyeva0]

@@robert6106 If Sinn Fein built a dog hut and gave it to a homeless person ...it would be more that FG or FF have done in 20 bloody years, ya moron!

[@arshadhayat]

I love her confidence and optimism, love the way she ended it with a smile :)

[@cheiftain732]

Shes the very same in life . Sound as a pound

[@TonThonFraisdEau]

Mary Lou is VERY good ....

[@liamclarke5275]

This devils advocate style of interview is horrendous. At least McDonald managed to power through it & put out the relevant facts.

[@fifihamill9174]

I noticed exactly the same , fair play to Mary Lou

[@eyeofagamatto3821]

No kidding. Her interview posture was because she was uninformed & wanted to create a false sense of balance. She knows damn well the DUP is wrong on this.

[@kfhroe8262]

The contempt displayed by the journalist is astonishing. 🤨

[@bennyreed2900]

Mary lou, Put her back in the. 📦 the Torrie clown 🤡 🤣.!!!

[@indogoUI]

@@eyeofagamatto3821 This is why they rarely interview Sinn Fein and pose questions in this manner. To try and push a bad light

[@joemccrohon5304]

The Unionist/Tory bootlicking from this interviewer was painful as hell.

[@timelwell7002]

The reason for Beth Rigby acting as if she were a member of the Tory Cabinet for much of the interview is twofold: 1) Because this is what she was told to do by her producer, who in turn was told to do that by Rupert Murdoch, owner of Sky News and arch-Brexiteer billionaire. He who pays the piper calls the tune. So much for independent journalism. 2) Because the producer also felt that the perspective constantly presented to viewers of Sky and BBC News programs - namely the Unionist/Hard Right Tory perspective - should be put across in the form of aggressive questions in order to elicit or provoke a response which could be ridiculed. This, however, backfired, showing Mary Lou McDonald as being a capable, mature and competent politician. Good result.

[@yermanoffthetelly]

Mary Lou's playing chess, Beth's playing checkers.

[@anniemacsrecommendations3883]

Well said Mary Lou👍

[@JC-jo9bf]

McDonald rocked this interview.

[@MichaelScott261]

I'm sure she does interviews with British journalists for fun these days. Easy work for Mary Lou.

[@anthonymullen6300]

British journalism no longer exists.

[@sametoruc1347]

they were never exists anyway, they were always based on lies or fake :-) telling the word to be democratic and fair but at the same time telling the world it's their way or no way!

[@leecullen759]

Why is a journalist speaking on the governments perspective with a headline like this? I don’t remember this interviewer being elected.

[@fifihamill9174]

Mary Lou give her a run and held her well so fair play to Mary lol

[@kfhroe8262]

The contempt displayed by the journalist is astonishing. 🤨

[@geoffpoole483]

@@fifihamill9174 Sinn Fein has some very able representatives; unlike the DUP.

[@trevaudio]

@@kfhroe8262 What contempt ?

[@kfhroe8262]

@@trevaudio The one expressed every time she was asking a question or listening an answer.

[@vintage0x]

what a marvellous person. she's a ray of sunshine in a bleak political world. future taoiseach of a united ireland?

[@derekbrown3165]

She is an apologist for IRA murderers. Her party is the talking part of the IRA.

[@roryoneill5901]

She is very bad leader, SF is a populist party with slogans usually from the Uk.

[@colinthompson3111]

Beth Rigby kept interrupting. Please do a better job on this important subject.

[@diarmuidkelleher5319]

She's a tough interviewer, But Mary Lou did well. And I am no fan of Mary Lou.

[@davidhall7744]

I used to respect Beth Rigby, however I think she has taken over as Bojo’s communication director from Laura K after that disgraceful misrepresentation of the situation in Northern Ireland.

[@fifihamill9174]

Beth was like snake in the grass but Mary Lou was excellent and held herself so well!!

[@kennethord]

Beth is like all Sky news representitives, she is poison and breed’s lies

[@kfhroe8262]

The contempt displayed by the journalist is astonishing. 🤨

[@gavindoyle8558]

My God - a Sky interviewer without mentioning the IRA. Must be a first!!!

[@brendanshannon1706]

Boils my blood when non-Irish journalists do these interviews without doing their homework. It’s just straight up unprofessional.

[@kfhroe8262]

The contempt displayed by the journalist is astonishing. 🤨

[@hughmacfarlane9662]

Hi Brendan , 100% in agreement . And this one in particular hasn't a clue.

[@thedailyjab662]

Nope ...she did her homework....and created the headline she wanted to achieve ....and then got all goo eyed over Shaun Paul and his guff about cars and girls.....pathetic..

[@geoffpoole483]

A bit of research and preparation isn't difficult. Last week the BBC ran a piece on the NI protocol and referred to when the border between NI and the Republic of Ireland was created in 1921....... seemingly unaware it was the Irish Free State and the Republic was not created until 1949.

[@brendanshannon1706]

@@geoffpoole483 Honestly I blame the British education system, they need to be teaching their empire history more.

[@envysart797]

Also the headline is just Orwellian levels of misleading. She says that the “blizzard of paperwork which Brexit has thrown up is problematic” - not the protocol, Brexit. Sky News is just misquoting MacDonald in their own interview.

[@warrenpaine]

I listened to the interview in its entirety and the last thing Ms McDonald was saying was that she believed the Irish Protocol was 'problematic'. That was what the Sky News interviewer clearly wanted her to say, but that is not what she was saying. #FakeNews

[@orlamurphymusic]

Exactly.

[@suzilouden5964]

I love the way MaryLou refers to the territory as North of Ireland and not Northern Ireland

[@frankklein4872]

And she started by saying British government not as it actually is the U.K.Government. This fascism by s Ireland leads to war, i know

[@chickensprint]

@@frankklein4872 Your surname suits your brain capacity

[@philip013]

It's amazing listening to a politician criticising Brexit. It's like they've all taken a vow of silence on the subject here in England.

[@martinmanifold2241]

Mary lou mcdonald elected by no one in northern ireland to speak ...michelle oneill is the elected first minister not this woman . The EU is not a country , the EU is not a sovereign state the EU is a trading organisation nothing more .

[@martinmanifold2241]

Ni was not and never was a member of the EU . Ni is british sovereign territory whether sinn fein like it or not

[@Whizzy-jx3qe]

@@martinmanifold2241 Not for much longer,the dup and tuv tied themselves in knots when they supported Brexit. The six counties was a member of the EU along with England,Scotland and Wales pre Brexit.

[@seanmagee5669]

@@martinmanifold2241 That 'British sovereign territory' was in the EU with the UK and Ireland. All was going pretty well for everyone. But then, we were hit with "Brexit"! . N.Ireland and Scotland voted to remain in the EU. England voted to leave. And that decision, to leave, has put that 'sovereign British territory':- and the UK, in serious jeopardy: not only here, but also, Scotland. "Brexit" has created a big, United, "UK" problem. 😟

[@martinmanifold2241]

@@seanmagee5669 northern ireland was never a member of the EU .

[@sharonramsey715]

It’s so refreshing to listen to a real Party Leader to speak in a confident and truthful manner. Here in England we listen to excuses and bumbling to hogwash and it’s acceptable. Here we listen to a party leader speak about issues of today and where things may well go in years to come with foresight. Wonderful interview.

[@williamadair3254]

This wonams party murdered 338 catholics alone, catch yourself on, easily fooled

[@sharonramsey715]

@@williamadair3254 by no means fooled. Support all the way.

[@Cornerforward]

Mary Lou McDonald is my hero. A politician who speaks the truth in a refreshing and well informed manner. She is brilliant.

[@frze5645]

Truthful - don’t make me laugh. There is no such thing as international law - that is pure spin.

[@frze5645]

China has unhindered access to the EU market - so what?

[@seanhale7915]

I have never been a SF supporter historically, but MLMacDonald is perhaps the most impressive politician in these islands. There is nothing she says that I disagree with. Interesting that the two nationalist voices we have (the other being Nicola Sturgeon) are women, who are perhaps the only

[@cheiftain732]

Sinn feim is like the ruc totally revamped . Youll see more women than men .its like the lib dems in UK where

[@patrickmoriarty7273]

The Sinn Fein leader is articulate and is most persuasive in her arguments for how to move forward with the protocol

[@gerardmcmahon3356]

Beth Rigby acting as a spokesperson for the Conservative party and, in some questions, the DUP. Mary Lou is a breath of fresh air in this.

[@aidanmasterson50]

Ah as a journalist she has to highlight the opposing opinion in a one sided conservation. Thats all I saw here, but that said the Brexiteers in Downing st get away all to frequently with unchecked untruthful statements that should have but weren’t called out.

[@tomh5094]

@@aidanmasterson50 There is no legitimate "opposing opinion" that deserves highlighting here. This idea that both sides deserve equal coverage is not always correct. When the other side is a Government that is trying to tear up an agreement and legislate to break the law then how is their opinion equally deserving of highlighting? Beth repeatedly tried to legitimise the Tories views by repeatedly demanding Mary lou accept the Government's problem. Ultimately this problem only exists because of brexit and the lies that the ukip and conservatives put out there. This English Government is so unbelievably, obviously, in the open kinda corrupt and it astounds me to see anyone defend them.

[@CharlieBo1]

Aye lad spot on. Jesus like not a common sense question.

[@damienx0x]

She also roasts Boris Johnson. People are so ignorant about journalism.

[@joprocter4573]

Excellent interviewer had to know her stuff and stand strong against politicians that ruin countries and will Ireland also. Sweeties now but she has a price later

[@senna1979212241512]

Sin Fein says Brexit is Problematic headline NIP is Problematic

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@theressomelovelyfilthdownh4329]

I live right on the border, and the crossing is non-stop with HGV's and other traffic. Companies here are hiring more people than they have in years. The only place I can see having issues is the northwest coast, who refuse to change their supply route to one in the ROI. Or those who trusted the DUP & Boris when they lied to them about the real world impact of Brexit.

[@irnickkkknowles]

Beth is usually pretty fair but jeez, this is terrible. Shades of Laura K and Fiona Bruce on Question Time.

[@Irishgui83]

Sinn Fein has been saying there are certain issues with the NIP they are prepared to sit down and discuss for some time now. But make no mistake, the NIP has protected NI from the worst consequences of a Brexit we didn't ask for, or want, but were dragged into kicking and screaming.

[@JT-de5jr]

why does it matter if NI didn’t want it? I overall UK vote did, i didn’t vote to leave yet i still have to deal with the consequences.

[@diarmuidkelleher5319]

@@JT-de5jr It matters because no other part of the UK has had the difficult past that NI had. Or shares a land border with the EU.

[@MichaelScott261]

@@diarmuidkelleher5319 It matters because the vast majority of MLA's in the assembly favour the protocol, the majority in Northern didn't want to leave and a select few in the assembly have broken power sharing in an effort to blackmail others into giving them their way. Meanwhile people can't afford to pay their bills and feed themselves and NI has no government.

[@JT-de5jr]

@@diarmuidkelleher5319 literally every part of the UK has a horrible past with the UK, that doesn’t exempt them from vote results. Multiple non EU countries share boarders with EU countries yet the those regions didn’t get big exemptions.

[@diarmuidkelleher5319]

@@JT-de5jr Really? So how many other UK regions were patrolled by armed soldiers for 30 years? How many other UK citizens did the British Army murder? What other UK region was ruled by an apartheid government Claiming Northern Ireland is no different to any other UK region, is just being facetious or downright ignorant.

[@PtolemyJones]

Brexit was problematic, there was no solution that was going to be perfect, because the UK opted for a difficult road. A border in the sea is clearly the best option, and even good for North Ireland in a lot of ways, some people just need to complain.

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@ardri31]

I live in the North of Ireland and your 100% right, it's actually working well thus far.

[@supersaintchristophe337]

Such an impressive politician.Makes Johnson and Truss look what exactly they are - floundering amateurs

[@joprocter4573]

Those 2 not ballsy politicians but bully beef Mary from South is forceful

[@jezlawrence720]

Gosh I'd forgotten what a sensible politician sounds like. Sadly, the terrible pro-govt journalism is all too familiar.

[@LegionIscariot]

The Protocol is working as intended. When the UK and EU signed the deal they know what it meant. The DUP saying we don't like the Protocol so are not going to form a government is not a problem with the Protocol...its a problem with the DUP. So the UK government saying the Protocol is causing problems and they need to unilaterally change it is BS.

[@outlaw6421]

Working as the eu intend it,not for the GFA.

[@cupguin]

@@outlaw6421 weird how there's not a single court case that says that. And if it was such an attack on the GFA, which I don't agree with btw, then why all the hyperbolic praise from the exact same people who are apparently going to now fix it? The DUP was fine with the protocol at the time, why should anyone think they or the Tories would do a better job if they were given another go?

[@desertdetroiter428]

@@outlaw6421 of course as the EU intended…that’s the whole goddamn reason for signing it. So what? Were the EU supposed to sign something they DIDN’T intend to work for the EU?

[@steve08717]

@@desertdetroiter428 2 sides negotiated the deal the fact we sent the dumbest we could find in frost speaks volumes to how stupid boris is at any time they could have pitched any other solutions but no it was get brexit done dig ourselves into a hole and keep digging as the hole caves in on us

[@SamG-py7ej]

@@cupguin wrong, 2 judges have said it changes the position of Northern Ireland and their is a case still to come before court soon. The DUP have always rejected the NIP because they are aware of that. The Belfast agreement states their needs to be consent, yet no vote on the issue has taking place, to be clear consent is given, it cannot be taken away or forced upon NI by the British Government or the EU. So until any vote takes place, its either the NIP or the Belfast agreement, can't have both.

[@Jimmy-nr4kr]

A national hero for the people

[@jojokeavy2835]

Well Spoken Mary Lou 🇮🇪👏👏 And No" she won't put words in your mouth.

[@samuelbcn]

A lot goin' on, shockin' and outrageous. Noteworthy that Irish nationalist speaks better English than a British national TV channel.

[@martindonnelly3654]

Btw, the protocol has nothing to do with the Executive in Northern Ireland. Only the Eu and British Govt can change that agreement. The DUP are using this as a proxy for not wanting to work with Sinn Fein in Government

[@kincaidwolf5184]

Sinn Fein refused to work with the DUP for almost 4 of the last 5 years. The DUP, have refused for what, 1 week so far? At least be consistent in your argument

[@peterdoyle1591]

@@kincaidwolf5184 Yeah! But that was about 'Cash for ash': the scandal surrounding DUP leader Arlene Foster. That would bring down any governmet. Not the same thing at all

[@kincaidwolf5184]

@@peterdoyle1591 So? A botched energy deal is not a good enough reason to have no government for three years. Sinn Fein returned to the government once they secured funding for the Irish language. This is exactly what the DUP are doing now; holding out to secure a better deal. That's how NI politics works. Compromise. If Sinn Fein wants the DUP involved, they have to compromise on Unionists' concerns and wishes.

[@indogoUI]

@@kincaidwolf5184 cost the tax payers £500,000,000

[@ardri31]

@@indogoUI 😂😂 that shut him up didn't it

[@complex58]

McDonald is a top competent states-person. Boris Johnson & his cronies can maybe a learn a thing or two from her!

[@kan_turk2626]

BoJo doesn’t do learning

[@timelwell7002]

I agree with Mary Lou McDonald 100%. She is spot on in every respect.

[@BrendanMacWade]

The Protocol is the only solution that keeps an open border between NI and the Republic. It sends a lot of goods (I assume) through Northern Ireland ports and airports. The alternative is a hard border that will almost certainly accelerate an Irish unity referendum. Bring it! Let's just unify and put this nonsense behind us. One Ireland should be part of the EU.

[@joecater894]

it has to be kept open between GB and NI too. Otherwise its same as closing off ROI and NI.

[@BrendanMacWade]

@@joecater894 Yes, but as I understand it, any goods coming from the EU to any part of Ireland have to enter at a NI port. Do I have that correct? Sorry, I'm a Yank. So yeah, this Irish Sea border puts the trade volume and port administration on the NI and GB side of things.

[@Torric25]

Brendan, I am a yank too and an Irish American too. I emigrated to the UK though. A united ireland would lead to a return to the troubles. there are still many many loyalists. Its not time. If anything, NI could rejoin but Antrim and Down could be carved out and save alot of future headaches.

[@fromireland8663]

@@BrendanMacWade No, EU goods destined for ROI do not have to enter Ireland through a NI port.

[@stevynsweeney6611]

Mary Lou is a journalist’s worst fear! Shes on her game!

[@jimwest7107]

MLM didn't know about Article 16 lol

[@45pints87]

Oh please shes a pig up fine gael/fianna fail

[@derekkearns3377]

Defo

[@heinrichhoeper1764]

What an inept journalist Beth Rigby proves to be, 😢it is mind boggling!

[@geoffpoole483]

She spoke to the owner of a delicatessen who's finding the protocol difficult to deal with; ditch the protocol now! This interview shows why so many Irish viewers get pissed off with British journalists.

[@malachymccloskey7839]

Get sea border up border at Liverpool Newcastle built the bridge to Scotland and cut England and Wales off then

[@cupguin]

"problematic" ≠ unilaterally breaking an international law Do people not understand that no matter what happens the EU will still exist after this? Does anyone think acting not just unilaterally but in bad faith will endear the EU to the UK and improve future negotiations? What am I talking about? This interviewer thinks that after Sinn Féin did better in the election than the DUP the DUP should have unilateral control over what happens with the protocol.

[@seanpatrick1243]

I find the title of this video ‘problematic.’ Lately Sky News has been pretty good at hiding their biases. I was even beginning to wonder if they were starting to become more neutral. And then I watched this video . . . after reading the title . . . And realized I was suffering from wishful thinking.

[@murpho999]

I acknowledge and understand that the journalist is biased and has no idea what she is talking about.

[@fifihamill9174]

BIASED BEYOUND BIAS LOL

[@SLX25]

Mary Lou wiped the floor with her.

[@garydeane9783]

Only problem with the protocol is that it doesn’t go far enough.

[@robertschriek812]

Thank God for this woman

[@darksider5196]

The fear inside that reporters eyes 🤣🤣🤣 mary lou is pure class .

[@trevaudio]

She did her job, she asked the awkward questions !!!

[@marezic7446]

Bullsh!t, she has nothing to fear, she gets paid a lot of money to ask questions and that's where it ends. Nothing or noone depends on her.

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@patrickfallon8950]

Headline is nothing similar to what McDonald said.

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@hg82met]

2:52 - I like how every time she tries to pronounce 'British Prime Minister' she throws up in her mouth a little bit.

[@brendanshannon1706]

Mary Lou McDonald will be the next Taoiseach, her and First Minister Michelle O’Neill will bring prosperity to the island of Ireland.

[@titteryenot4524]

O’Neill’s fitter.

[@VincentRE79]

They will be disastrous for Ireland, basically it will be run by the IRA Military Council.

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

@@titteryenot4524 Both are fine and very capable lasses, well suited to be the Taoiseach.

[@titteryenot4524]

@@MeAndTheBoys_ 👍

[@stephenford8775]

@@monty0289 Their going to need it.

[@brianeduardo1234]

Surely the British Supreme Court couldn’t allow it

[@ciaranbrk]

No I doubt the lords will either or the court of session.

[@aidanmasterson50]

House of Lords stopped it the last time.

[@indogoUI]

Beth Rigby at every point tried to stop Mary Lou from tearing apart her questions and adding context that makes her questions look stupid

[@TheUrban1]

Used to like Beth Rigby….just another fool

[@saren6538]

Mary Lou - cool as a cucumber ----- beth is breathing heavy, lot of eye twitching and very uptight here.. she got destroyed

[@michaelcoward1902]

The headline is a lie! The SF leader says that BREXIT is problematic, not the protocol...Despite Rigby's pathetic and relentless attempts to put the words she wanted to hear in the SF leader's mouth!

[@margaretmcnamee6411]

This is a true leader. The UK should pay attention

[@drew.silverotter]

What a Woman! Mary Lou McDonald is an amazing lady!

[@TonThonFraisdEau]

What is problematic said Mary Lou is not the Protocol but BREXIT ....The DUP has VOTED for the Protocol.....there IS consent.....

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@celestialteapot309]

Many years ago the UK had competent and principled politicians like this, before choosing to be governed by a kleptocratic oligarchy of misfits and loony tunes.

[@earnestequivocation6250]

So it follows that unilateral action is going to safeguard peace - this after a Unionist backed agreement has been made? NI doing better than rUK - so the justification for this is what exactly? Got to agree with those criticising Rigby for an obvious lack of balance. Brexit was always going to create problems - this was forseeable but dismissed as Project Fear before it became Project Here.

[@thedailyjab662]

Excellent stuff....👍

[@courcheval]

The Brexit in general is problematic, starting by the very marginal percentage that led to this decision in an uninformed population that since then has shown constantly in polls they wouldnt do the same mistake. It is problematic too by the fact it doesnt respect national choice of NI and Scotland of not leaving the EU. The protocol is the least of evils beween separating Ireland from England rather than separating Northern Ireland from Souther Ireland. The unilateral decision to break international laws is an imperial move where "global England" thinks that the England IS the law, a bit like Russia does in Ukraine, because of its empirial history on its neighbours territories. This is not only illegal, this is also brutal and medieval.

[@malachycarson5846]

This woman makes me so very proud to be Irish.

[@brendanmailey9253]

Brilliant interview from Mary Lou. On the point, no permitting distraction from the real issue and clear, precise in relation to what has happened is happening and will happen. Excellent.

[@pgannon63]

Sky reporter put back in her box by a truly amazing person and politician a true republican

[@littlebean1556]

The British govt involvement in Ireland in any shape or form IS colonialism. Any deals made on behalf of the Irish people on their own country is colonialism. There is no such thing as Unilateral decision that English should make on behalf of a nation whose sovereignty that the European Union failed to protect. The British need to stop milking Ireland and profiteering from the Irish people, their land and resources and exit Ireland. Brexit out of Ireland should be the only agenda that should be discussed. The interviewer clearly has ZERO idea that colonialism should be over. Shame on her. Mary deserves a more enlightened host.

[@mulletheadbanger]

As they say in that so called pillar of democracy , Hear Hear .

[@Ghost111911]

I'm not an expert, but in my opinion the NIP isn't the problem. Yes, they have to follow EU rules at the NI-rUK border, but the UK government is responsible on both sides for the implementation. Shouldn't there be a electronic system for the border checks? Why was there no help of the government to help with the issues? The EU offered last year another extension, but that was refused by the UK.

[@djdoolittle1315]

Well said Mary Lou 💚

[@jawmesfoxnow]

She was great!

[@titteryenot4524]

Much like ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine who were fairly happily co-existing with non-Russian ethnic Ukrainians in a sovereign Ukraine before Putin’s mucky paws entered the fray; I’ve never quite understood (beyond the nonsense of organised religion and all the made-up tribal Catholic/Protestant baloney) just why Ireland can’t be one country; a bit like Belgium, say, where the Walloons and Flemish seem to be able to rub along together. After all, I’m sure the UK mainland would be more than willing to accept the Unionist malcontents (that were artificially ‘planted’ there by the British state) for whom a united Ireland would be anathema. Surely, it’s time to right the stark injustice that was done to the island of Ireland back in the day, and let it become what it clearly should be (without British meddling): one united country.

[@brendanshannon1706]

It’s an inevitability. Also the sectarian divide is falling fast, and once that’s been abolished, a United Ireland is only a matter of time.

[@titteryenot4524]

@@brendanshannon1706 Looks like it.

[@patc9518]

It was an illegal racist border put on the island of Ireland against the democratic mandate of the Irish people, hopefully one day soon it will be history along with all the hate and bitterness. Built a nation together based on strong Western values, a secular republic that works for its citizens, all of them.

[@martinmagee9242]

Well done Mary Lou 👏

[@conorb7839]

Ask a question and let her answer. It's the bare minimum for an interview. Regardless of what her agenda may be, it's awful listening to hear Beth talking over Mary after immediately raising a new point.

[@jmpht854]

Holy cow, is Beth Rigby paid by the Tories? What a ridiculous interview!

[@CM-sc5we]

Sky has always been a tory mouthpiece

[@helenhunter4540]

Rigby is either pro-dup or playing devil's advocate. McDonald and Sinn Fein are right. That's never, however, been important to eng governments or unionists.

[@deanunio]

Playing devils advocate, that’s what journalists have to do sometimes. All these people who have no idea what she really thinks

[@Torric25]

McDonald is the clueless one. UK actions are all legal and will preserve the GFA.

[@tonysquiggs9741]

Jesus she's good

[@johnnyboycrack]

The more I listen to Mary Lou the more impressed I am with her rhetoric, common sense and practical thought process. With all due respect, Beth Rigby should never never be allowed interview anyone serious ever again if she’s that blind to anything but nationalist bad unionist good

[@thompsondon1]

Really disappointed With Sky News and I hate been negative. Two things stick out. 1 The title is not reflected in the interview. 2 The reporter / Beth has not one notion of what is really going on and was very unprofessional. I would suggest somebody fixes the title to at least reflect the truth of what was said in this interview

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@martyg1647]

Mary lou Mcdonald is a legend 😎

[@dirkdupont5004]

Even being continental it was clear to me that the interviewer was British. And it is not the protocol itself, but its implementation that can be improved. Well, not as biased as Russian state television, but it's close. British journalism, a lost craft.

[@gavinhillick]

At least the EU didn't ban British media so we can still see this for ourselves.

[@idleishde6124]

The interviewer needs to shut up and let her talk. She's not a mouth piece of the government... or is she?

[@paulreynolds7103]

There is no independent press... especially in Britain

[@stephenford8775]

The interviewer couldn't get a word in, because Mary Lou is so arrogant, like most of Sinn Fein, how are they going to look after the people of NI, if they won't take their seat in Parliament, look at that funeral where Michelle o Neil went, broke every Covid rule going she couldn't careless, i call that arrogant, they say they've changed, that funeral showed to a lot of people in NI they will never change.

[@lawrencecarlin4309]

Fair play Mary Lou

[@brianodonovan8470]

Fantastic from Mary Lou.

[@williamlane9844]

Historically and geographically there are 32 counties on the island of Ireland, and i believe that there will be a United Ireland,

[@goarchie16]

A state that was engineered to prevent a Michelle O'Neil from holding the office of first Minister. That indeed is cause for an optimistic outlook.

[@bauldbill]

Interesting video title and not really representative of the actual content of the interview which is more focused on calling out the UK government for breaking international law.

[@kfhroe8262]

The title should be:

[@paulfulton7968]

Excellent Mary Lou 👏

[@dublindutch6346]

Northern Ireland deserves to be in the E.U, and have unhindered access to the largest and most prosperous trading bloc. The U.K is a sick and corrupt Union and nothing more then a flapping fish on dry land. That reporter is terrible as well btw, shockingly bad interview on her part.

[@andunabu3238]

Unbelievable for a so called journalist to put words in the mouth of an interviewer. Beth would not behave like this with any Tory or Unionist politician.

[@brianeduardo1234]

Interviewer is not a the races

[@pauljosephbuggle3722]

Mary Lou is dead on. The interviewer is generally very competent but doesn't quite get the Irish situation this time out.

[@danielbentham758]

What Irish situation? Its a domestic problem in the United Kingdom

[@ciaranbrk]

@@danielbentham758 no it’s an international issue of potential breach of law between the UK government and the EU and the assembly is issue in the north of Ireland.

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@danielbentham758 It's not It's the Ireland and Northern Ireland Protocol, to give it its proper title aimed at protecting the island of Ireland. Plus the Good Friday Agreement, re unification says that it is up to the island of Ireland ALONE to decide its future, no outside impediment or interference. It's Ireland's future, not Britain's.

[@danielbentham758]

@@ciaranbrk so its a domestic problem in the United Kingdom lol Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom

[@danielbentham758]

@@roisinmalone3015 1, its the Northern Ireland protocol 2, needs a majority in Northern Ireland and another majority in Ireland 3, its upto the Northern Ireland Secretary in the UK government to call it 4, only 28% of Northern Ireland identify as Irish as per the last census and unionists still have more seats than nationalists in stormont despite a terrible election campaign

[@itseamuscallan7004]

Scotland would give up the Bagpipes to get the same deal as NI, The Protocol is allowing NI to do much better than Britain, The only genuine problem with the Protocol for the DUPed party in NI is that it makes them just that little bit less English

[@kincaidwolf5184]

Has nothing to do with England, the British population is largely Scottish

[@itseamuscallan7004]

@@kincaidwolf5184 thats true, notwithstanding they have an overwhelming desire to be more English than the English. sad fact is they bear no resemblance to the English, All the English i know are reasonable tolerant normal people

[@patc9518]

Its not a British population. Yes it would seem so, a lot of them want to be little englanders but I'm sure especially in working class areas people have pride in their Scottish heritage. (and hopefully their Irish too) ( ;

[@kincaidwolf5184]

@@itseamuscallan7004 To be honest, the majority of people in NI are good honest people. Remember, Sinn Fein had an IRA terrorist as its leader for decades. Thousands died in NI during the troubles and people got pushed to the extreme. Sinn Fein are not a moderate party, they're a marxist party. Socialism and Marxism brings nothing but economic misery.

[@kincaidwolf5184]

@@roseanne9986 Far too many. The IRA killed more Catholics then the British Army. Let that sink in.

[@SEANBANOG4]

This is leadership....Bravo Mary Lou.