Irish Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has spoken to a crowd of thousands in favour of a unified Ireland between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
He called for compromise in the debate on the island's constitutional future, acknowledging that the hopes for unity are "noble and legitimate".
However, he warned against imposing the will of the majority on a pro-UK minority, stating that opposing dreams cannot be ignored or silenced.
In his speech, Varadkar acknowledged the popular desire for a unified Ireland but cautioned that "hopes for a united Ireland came with a "responsibility for all of us to ensure that our dreams do not become someone else's nightmare.
" He emphasized the importance of compromise and reconciliation between opposing parties in order to avoid repeating the failures of the past.
Although Varadkar's speech was well received by those in attendance, it prompted criticism from some political leaders in Northern Ireland who accused him of failing to address issues of inequality and discrimination that persist in the region.
Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald said the speech lacked sufficient detail and that "it is frustrating to hear demands for unity from Leo Varadkar while citizens in the North continue to live with second-class citizenship."
Overall, while there is a large and growing desire for Irish unification, it is clear that finding compromise between opposing viewpoints is crucial to its success.
Leo Varadkar's address acknowledged this reality and emphasized the need for peace and unity moving forward.