Dublin: US President Donald Trump has said he would like to see Northern Ireland join Ireland in a united Ireland, bringing the sensitive constitutional issue back into focus during his visit to Dublin.
Speaking after a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House on Saturday, Trump said he would "love to see it unified" and predicted that Irish unification would eventually happen.
Trump described the prospect as a "fantastic thing" and also acknowledged that the United Kingdom would have a say in any change to Northern Ireland's constitutional position.
The comments came during Trump's two day visit to Ireland, which includes meetings with Irish political leaders in Dublin and a visit to the Amgen Irish Open at his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.
The British government has said its position on Irish unity has not changed. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there is currently no majority public support for another referendum on Northern Ireland's constitutional status and that there will not be one unless that situation changes.
Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland, has rejected Trump's comments. The DUP supports Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom.
Robinson has said that Northern Ireland's constitutional future should be decided by its people rather than by political leaders in London, Dublin or Washington.
Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland's constitutional status is based on the principle of consent. A change from remaining in the United Kingdom to joining a united Ireland would require majority support in Northern Ireland through a border poll held under the agreement.
There is no indication that Trump's comments amount to a change in US policy or that a border poll has been announced.
During his visit to Dublin, Trump also met Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin. The meeting was part of his engagements with Ireland's political leadership.
Trump's meeting with Martin also focused on the close economic relationship between Ireland and the United States. US companies have a major presence in Ireland, particularly in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors, while Irish companies also have significant investments and operations in the United States.
Trump is also due to meet US and Irish business representatives during his visit before travelling to County Clare.
His visit is not an official state visit. After his meetings in Dublin, Trump travelled to Doonbeg, where the Amgen Irish Open is being held at Trump International Golf Links from September 10 to 13.
The golf tournament has added another major focus to the presidential visit. Irish golfer Shane Lowry leads the competition after two rounds after setting a course record of 62 on Friday.
Lowry is 11 under par and three shots clear of the chasing group. Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, is also competing in the tournament.
Trump is attending the tournament on Saturday and is expected to present the winner's trophy on Sunday before returning to the United States.
The visit has also led to a major security operation across Dublin and County Clare. Ireland's national police service, An Garda Síochána, has declared the visit an extraordinary event, with 10,000 12 hour Garda shifts planned between Friday and Sunday.
Additional security measures and restrictions have been introduced around Dublin, Shannon Airport and the golf course in Doonbeg. Protests have also been planned in Dublin, Doonbeg and near Shannon Airport.
Trump's comments on Irish unity have added a significant political dimension to a visit that also includes economic discussions and his attendance at the Irish Open.
The remarks have brought renewed attention to the constitutional future of Northern Ireland and the principle of consent established by the Good Friday Agreement more than 28 years ago.