Andrews responds to Trump's united Ireland comments

A Fianna Fáil MEP has responded to US President Donald Trump's intervention in the united Ireland debate by saying: "Mr Trump has decided to get involved, what could possibly go wrong".

Barry Andrews made the comments during a European Parliament discussion in Strasbourg, France, this evening.

Speaking during a one-minute speeches debate on a series of different topics in the parliament, Mr Andrews referenced Mr Trump's comments about a united Ireland during his visit to the Irish Open at the weekend.

The Fianna Fáil MEP who has previously criticised the US president's time in power, responded dryly, "Mr Trump has decided to get involved in the debate on a united Ireland, what could possibly go wrong? As [SDLP MP] Claire Hanna has said, he's perhaps not as orange as he looks."

"People who take Ireland's future seriously don't take Trump's comments seriously," he added.

Mr Andrews continued by referencing new British prime minister Andy Burnham's recent comments that a united Ireland referendum is for now "off the table" as it is not believed by Downing Street that the majority of people currently want a referendum.

While Mr Burnham has since moved to clarify his remarks, Mr Andrews said "it is not exaggeration to say the British government's wisdom on what might pass in a referendum is at least patchy".

He added that the Brexit referendum fallout has shown that it is important not just to plan for a potential future united Ireland referendum, but for the potential aftermath of any vote result as well.