O'Neill defended a call for a referendum on Irish reunification ahead of a meeting in Cardiff with Scottish National Party leader John Swinney and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Referring to Donald Trump's remarks on Saturday that he wanted to “see a United Ireland,” O'Neill said they showed that the possibility of Irish reunification remained on the agenda. O'Neill contrasted this assessment with an earlier statement by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham that reunification was not on the agenda.
Three parties agree to work together
O'Neill said the three parties had agreed to work together following elections held in Wales and Scotland in May. She said a memorandum of understanding would be signed at the Cardiff meeting on how to cooperate, how to conduct joint work and how to improve the quality of life of their peoples.
O'Neill, Swinney and ap Iorwerth will attend the meeting, along with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. The leaders are expected to discuss their shared interests and the right to self-determination.
Emphasis on the Belfast Agreement
O'Neill said the UK Parliament in London was resisting constitutional changes sought by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. She said it was important to address Northern Ireland's demands in line with the 1998 Belfast Agreement, which ended the conflict on the island.
O'Neill said 28 years had passed since the Belfast Agreement was signed. She said significant progress had been made during that period, but that Irish reunification was the next stage in the national journey.
US policy and criticism of Gaza
O'Neill said she agreed with Trump's views on Ireland but strongly opposed his position on Gaza and US foreign policy. Criticising US policy in Gaza over what she described as the United States' role in “being complicit in genocide,” O'Neill said their position on the issue would not change.
O'Neill said she also did not support most of the US views on the Irish peace process. Nevertheless, she noted that the United States had helped bring about the signing of the Belfast Agreement 28 years ago, saying that relations and dialogue remained important.
Call for a referendum from Burnham
O'Neill criticised Burnham's previous statement that Irish reunification was not on the agenda. She said the Cardiff meeting should show that the issue remained on the agenda and that the leaders had come together around shared goals.
O'Neill said the referendum needed for Irish reunification would amount to implementing the Belfast Agreement. She argued that, under the responsibility arising from the agreement, Burnham should offer Northern Ireland the opportunity to exercise its right to self-determination. O'Neill said no British prime minister had the right to remove the issue from the agenda.
Although the three leaders meeting in Cardiff are known for political positions favouring the United Kingdom's break-up, they will attend the meeting as party leaders rather than as regional first ministers.
