Donald Trump wades into Northern Ireland question

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that a unified Ireland would be

"fantastic" as he waded into a complex and politically-charged subject

during his visit to the country.

The Associated Press' Darlene Superville said, "I am here in Dublin, Ireland with President Donald Trump. He spent a few hours

here before flying to Doonbeg and the golf resort he owns there

on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. He met in Dublin with Irish President

Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin." 

"He also addressed a gathering of US and Irish business leaders at

the US ambassador's residence. In the meeting with Martin,

Trump said he would love to see the reunification of the Republic of Ireland

and the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland, saying that it would be 'fantastic.'"

But the debate over reuniting both countries is a heated one with strong

opinions on both sides. Previous American presidents have avoided

direct comment on the subject. Even Joe Biden, who is known for his

strong personal connection to Ireland.

Trump later acknowledged that there is 'no good answer to the question.'

Competing visions of Northern Ireland drove decades of violence in the six-county region

that has a Protestant majority and has remained part of the UK.

A 1998 peace accord that the US was instrumental in negotiating largely ended

the violence. That agreement allows for a vote on unification if it appears likely

a majority of people would vote for it.