Sinn Féin President backs unity referendum by 2030 saying Irish Government ‘can't bury its head in sand', on The Late Late Show
On The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty said he wanted to talk about North and South as Ms McDonald had said at the weekend she believes a United Ireland referendum would happen before the end of the decade.
Kielty said the only way that can happen under the Good Friday Agreement is with the approval of Northern Ireland Secretary of State.
He referenced a recent poll by the Irish Times ARINS project says 34% in the North favour it and asked how that is going to change in the next five years.
The Sinn Féin leader said she believes that 'we're living in the end days of partition'.
She added: 'Actually, this year marks a century since the Boundary Commission partitioned our island.
'So a century ago, people in Tyrone, in your own home county of County Down, woke up one morning and everything had changed for them and they had been left behind. And then the history unfolded, as we know.
'We're now at a point where we have real opportunities, economically, socially, to build an Ireland that creates wealth, prosperity, happiness, security for our entire island population.
'And I think we need to grasp that. And I also know that we need to plan for it. One of the astonishing things is that in the absence of any substantive debate, that you have 34% of the population north of the border saying, yes, I favour this.
'I believe that as the conversation deepens and as we listen to each other carefully and as the opportunities become more apparent, I believe that support will grow. But the government here in Dublin has to lead that.
'They can't bury their heads in the sand.'
Mr Kielty made the point that it isn't about economics but a 'hearts and minds thing' and the DUP and those who are British have to be 'persuaded'.
Ms McDonald responded: 'Of course we do. Of course we do. And that's on the one hand the great challenge of this process, but that's actually what makes it interesting.
'That's what makes it exciting. And by the way, if you are British in a partitioned Ireland, you will be British in a united Ireland. That's who you are. That's your identity. We're not trying to challenge that.
'But I'm saying very directly that this island, this entire economy is better off as a single unit. And there's evidence of that already. I mean, in the time of the Good Friday Agreement, the all-Ireland trade was somewhere in the region of about two billion.
'It's now, what, about 14 billion all those years on. The border is a liability for us. We have unfinished business, and I think we should have this as a national project that we reconcile, we unite our island, and we build a place where our young people, all of them, whatever their background, have their right chance here at home and that we're not seeing them unscathed.'
Kielty suggested Sinn Féin as a party should lay out its plan for a united Ireland,
Ms McDonald said there should be conversations about issues such as health care and setting out values, adding, 'I'm not going to hand down on tablets of stone, this is how it shall be.'
She said there has to be a defined democratic space where that conversation happens and repeated that the current government in Dublin has to lead in that regard, pointing to north-south engagement on the Brexit issue with input from hauliers and business people.
When speaking to women from the unionist community, she said, they want to talk about healthcare, about their children and grandchildren and about how tomorrow can be better.
The Co Down presenter agreed, but said when he speaks to the same people they want to talk about those issues while still being part of the UK.
Ms McDonald accepted there will be people who are 'absolutely committed to a unionist position' and 'that's okay' as across the island there are committed nationalists and republicans, unionists and others.
She said there is also a 'whole swathe of people in the middle' who 'ultimately need to be engaged in this conversation', describing it as a 'really exciting time it's a time of opportunity'.
In a wide-ranging interview Kielty and Ms McDonald also spoke of dealing with the loss of parents in recent times.
The republican leader praised Pope Francis for championing the 'underdog' recognising how he rang Gaza City every evening, 'even when he was really, really sick and struggling himself' which 'told the world who he was'.
She also ruled herself out of running for President of Ireland and said her party was undecided when it comes to fielding their own candidate or backing someone from outside of Sinn Féin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
7 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Welfare reforms will lead to ‘appalling poverty'
Labour MP Andy McDonald asked for further evidence on how many people will lose out on Personal Independence Payments (Pip) as a result of the welfare reform Bill. In the Commons, Labour's Richard Burgon also claimed anyone supporting the reforms is voting to take away benefits from disabled people who need help 'to cut up their food, wash themselves and go to the toilet'. Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the reforms will 'open up opportunities for people who have been denied opportunities for far, far too long'. It comes after Labour's Vicky Foxcroft resigned as a Government whip over the proposed cuts last week. The Government has previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will be debated on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the Commons. Speaking on Monday, Mr Burgon, Leeds East MP, said: 'Isn't the simple and sad truth that any MP who votes for this upcoming welfare Bill is voting to take Pip from disabled people who need assistance to cut up their food, wash themselves and go to the toilet?' Sir Stephen replied: 'No. What people will be voting for is reforms to open up opportunities for people who have been denied opportunities for far, far too long. We're putting that right.' Mr McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said: 'Ministers have highlighted the scale of Pip recipients expected to lose payments make up one in 10 of the total Pip caseload, suggesting the impact of the cuts will be limited, but that's still 370,000 current recipients expected to lose on average, £4,500. 'But these numbers rest on a set of assumptions that the OBR has described as highly uncertain. DWP data shows there are 1.3 million people currently receiving Pip daily living payments who would not meet the new criteria. 'So before MPs are asked to vote on imposing such appalling poverty, will the DWP or the OBR provide further evidence underpinning these claims?' Sir Stephen replied: 'Well, the OBR has published its assessment. (Mr McDonald) is absolutely right, their assessment is that one in 10 of those who are receiving Pip in November next year will have lost it by 2029/30.' He added: 'Following that, we will be able to introduce the biggest investment there has ever been in employment support for people out of work on health and disability grounds, because we don't want any longer to track people on low income for years and years and years, we want people to be able to enter work and fulfil their ambitions, and that's what the investment will allow.' Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. An impact assessment published alongside the Bill confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the reforms will get 'a grand total of zero people into work, according to their own impact assessments'. Elsewhere in work and pensions questions, Ms Kendall said the child poverty task force will look at 'all the levers that we need' to tackle the issue, when pressed on the Government's plans for the two-child benefit cap. Tracy Gilbert, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: 'I absolutely agree… with a number of charities that removing the cap alone is not a silver bullet to tackle child poverty, but it will make a difference. 'Can (Ms Kendall) confirm if the tackling child poverty task force is considering the removal of a two-child cap?' Ms Kendall replied: 'I can absolutely confirm that the child poverty strategy will be looking at all the levers that we need to tackle this really important issue, including in terms of social security. 'She is impatient for change for her constituents, as am I. We have already put in place a fair repayment rate for universal credit, we are increasing the standard allowance for the first time in universal credit, for the first time in its history, and rolling out free school meals. 'But I will, of course, take her representations forward and make sure they're heard by the task force.'
Western Telegraph
12 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Qatar temporarily closes airspace amid rising tensions in Middle East
The move comes after US forces struck three nuclear sites in Iran, prompting Tehran to launch a barrage of retaliatory ballistic missiles against Israel. In a statement posted to social media on Monday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country's airspace, in order to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.' Qatar Airways has been contacted for comment on the impact to its operations. Airlines are reviewing routes across the region, with some services rerouted or diverted mid-air. Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice Foreign Office It comes just hours after the Foreign Office advised British nationals in Qatar to 'shelter in place' following a US security alert. The UK Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Iran and urges British nationals in the region to follow local guidance. It has also updated its travel advice for Qatar, warning British nationals to shelter in place 'out of an abundance of caution' following a US security alert in the country. In updated guidance, it said: 'Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. 'Follow instructions from local authorities. 'The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops.' Qatar is home to Al Udeid airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, where around 8,000 American personnel are based, according to the US State Department. The base also hosts British forces. No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group, part of the Royal Air Force, is headquartered at Al Udeid and leads UK air operations in the region. On Monday, flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed a Qatar Airways service from Gatwick to Doha make a sharp diversion shortly before entering Qatari airspace.
The Herald Scotland
19 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Former Glasgow MP announces support for second indy ref
He posted: 'We support the right of the Scots to self-determination. Eleven years after they last did so we believe the time for another referendum is close. 'Given the collapsing authority of the British state, the pitiful prime minister Starmer and the moral decline of British society, the result cannot easily be predicted. Britain has become a cesspit.' The Dundee-born politician served as MP for Glasgow West and Kelvin between 1987 and 2005. He was expelled from Labour in 2003 after making comments critical of the war in Iraq. He has long opposed Scottish independence, touring the country in the run-up to the 2014 referendum to stump for a 'no' vote. However, don't take Galloway for a surprise SNP convert. Posting to X several hours later, he added: 'Frankly the only thing that can stop Britain breaking up is the greenery, quackery and wokery of the SNP.' Galloway previously founded the staunchly unionist All for Unity party. Ahead of the Holyrood elections in 2021, he said: 'Politicians at Holyrood are rightly criticised for having little experience of the real world. "We've got, without doubt, the most qualified and capable candidate list of any party to take the fight to the separatists in the next Scottish Parliament. "All For Unity will open the books of the Scottish Parliament, tackle the scourge of separatism and save our Scotland". The party did not win any seats at the election and was deregistered in 2022.
