US President Donald Trump has said he would 'love to see' a unified Ireland during a two-day visit to meet with political leaders and visit his golf course.Mr Trump made the comments during a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin, saying it will 'happen eventually' and would be a 'great thing'.The President spoke while sitting alongside the Taoiseach at the Farmleigh Estate. Asked about uniting the island, Mr Trump said: 'I don't want to cause any trouble, but I'll tell you I would love to see a unified Ireland.'He continued: 'I think it would be a great feather in everybody's cap if that happened. It's going to happen eventually. 'You know how I see it, it's going to happen eventually; it may as well happen now... I think it would be a fantastic thing. 'Now the UK will have something to say about it, obviously, but I think it would be a great thing.' Mr Trump also warned today that any conflict over the Falkland Islands between the UK and Argentina would be a 'disaster', but said that he would be able to 'settle it.'The President's comments about a united Ireland have been met with criticism from unionist leaders in Northern Ireland. US President Donald Trump said he would 'love to see a unified Ireland' during a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin on Saturday President Donald Trump is greeted by Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin's Phoenix Park President Donald Trump meets with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary O'Shea at Farmleigh House in Dublin on Saturday The Taoiseach and Mr Trump shake hands as they meet each other at Farmleigh House, Dublin this morning US President Donald Trump is greeted by Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Harris at Dublin Airport on Saturday morning President Trump waves at Dublin Airport before stepping into a waiting motorcade Mr Trump and his entourage exit Air Force One at the start of their two-day trip to Ireland The President was greeted by a group of officials and disembarked from Air Force One accompanied by security personnel The President salutes as he is greeted at Dublin Airport by officials and the militaryDemocratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson posted on X today: 'President Trump knows better than most that elections matter.'Northern Ireland's constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington.'Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because that is the settled democratic will of its people.'I am confident NI will continue to choose the UK and the security it offers. As unionists, we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.'Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said Mr Trump 'is not the first US president to meddle in the affairs which don't concern him'.He added: 'Northern Ireland is not a pawn in Trump's fall-out with the UK. Our constitutional future does not depend on him or any other foreign dignitary.'Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA said the US president 'like anyone else in the world, is entitled to express his view on the constitutional future of another country'.'But the only people whose decision counts are the people of Northern Ireland,' he said.'That is the principle of consent, now enshrined in law through the Belfast Agreement, negotiated and delivered by the Ulster Unionist Party.'America has been, and remains, an important ally, from the Second World War and the global fight against terrorism to the defence of democracy around the world. Their businesses increasingly see that our workforce here is the best in the world.'But when all is said and done, Northern Ireland's future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland.'I am confident that we are safer, more secure and more prosperous within the United Kingdom, and that is where we will remain.'Former Social Democratic and Labour Party leader and MP for Foyle Colum Eastwood, an open critic of the US president, shared a clip of Mr Trump's remarks on social media, adding: 'Always liked him.'UUP MLA Robbie Butler said there was a 'sudden conversion' from some of Mr Trump's opponents.'For years we have been told this president is beyond the pale: his character, his conduct, his position on Gaza,' he said.'Some of those now cheering him boycotted the White House over it. One sentence about a united Ireland and he is apparently a statesman of rare vision.'It seems his judgment is sound only on the one subject where it happens to suit. The cherry picking is at least consistent.'SDLP leader Claire Hanna said: 'In the last hour Donald Trump has announced that he is in favour of a united Ireland. It turns out that he isn't as orange as he looks.''I'm not sure if anybody has checked from the DUP. I suspect they're burning those Trump flags as we speak.'I think that underlines, as clearly as anything, that change is happening.'Other politicians also condemned Mr Trump's comments. Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch said: 'President Trump is shooting from the hip as usual, just like he did with Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state. 'This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension. 'Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. At a time when separatists are in power in Scotland, Wales and NI, we need a Government that will defend the Union clearly and confidently. The Conservative and Unionist Party as is our true name will always defend the Union.'The President also said that the Irish have 'been great friends of America' and said the relationship between the two countries is 'fantastic'.He added that the business people in the room are among the most 'successful people in the world', saying that he is pleased Ireland is now the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment in the US.'Congratulations on your genius,' he said.During his meeting with the Taoiseach, Trump stepped back from previous comments he has made over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands; he said: 'I'm sure I'll be called into that potential disaster, but if they do, I'll probably be able to settle, settle it out.'Trump previously made headlines after saying he was 're-evaluating' the US position on the islands.Mr Trump's remarks today come after he told the UK to open up oil and gas fields in the North Sea after being questioned about people in Ireland paying 40 per cent more for home heating oil than before the start of the war with Iran. Speaking outside President Catherine Connolly's official residence earlier, Mr Trump again piled the pressure on Labour over its energy policies.'If they opened up in the UK, the North Sea, your prices will tumble,' he replied. 'As soon as they open up the great North Sea, and they haven't... when that's open, your prices are going to go way down.'The trip has been described as one of the biggest security operations ever implemented by the Irish police service.Mr Trump will take part in engagements in the Irish capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish Open – but the visit has sparked backlash among residents with protests planned.As Air Force One touched down on Irish soil early on Saturday, dozens of police officers and security force personnel were seen preparing for the President to disembark and enter a waiting motorcade. As he stepped out of the jet and onto a waiting red carpet, Mr Trump was greeted by Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Harris.Ahead of the trip, the Taoiseach said he looks forward to welcoming Mr Trump to Ireland and 'discussing the many issues of mutual interest and reaffirming the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States'.'His visit comes during a remarkable sporting summer for Ireland, and the United States and this weekend's Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg will be a fitting conclusion to an outstanding season of sport, and I hope we will see an Irish winner lifting the trophy on Sunday,' he added.On Saturday Mr Trump also met with President Catherine Connolly, a longstanding critic of the US president, at her official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Presidents Trump and Ms Connolly observed the national anthems of both their countries and a guard of honour presented arms, with Mr Trump invited to perform an inspection.Elsewhere, former Irish premiers Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were among hundreds of guests arriving at Deerfield, the residence of the US ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh, ahead of Mr Trump's arrival.Prominent business leaders, including Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, and entertainer Michael Flatley, were also among those expected to attend as Mr Trump will make a speech in a marquee set up in the grounds of the historic property at Deerfield in Phoenix Park, which is decked out with American flags.Sound checks have included the playing of some of Mr Trump's favourite songs, including the Village People's YMCA, and his traditional walk-out song God Bless The US by Lee Greenwood.A number of protests against Mr Trump's visit have been planned. Mr Trump will take part in engagements in the Irish capital Dublin as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is hosting the Irish OpenAir Force One comes in to land at Dublin Airport for the start of Mr Trump's trip to Ireland A police motorcade is seen at Dublin Airport as the country prepares to welcome the US President for a two-day visit Security and cars at Dublin Airport ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump on Air Force OneGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly said peaceful protest would be facilitated as much as possible but there will be 'no tolerance' for public disorder or attempts to impact 'critical movements' of the US President.'We have robust policing plans in place and will arrest and prosecute those committing offences,' he said, adding that water cannon will be 'on standby' but he hoped they would not be needed.The visit is being hotly opposed by some Dubliners, and a massive security operation is underway.Police put up a cordon around Dublin's Phoenix Park, where Trump's meeting with Mr Martin took place – but residents expressed annoyance over the disruption.'He's causing mayhem in this city because he wants to go down to Doonbeg and play golf,' said taxi driver Christopher Fox, emphatically not a fan of Mr Trump. 'The world's in turmoil and this fella's down playing golf.'University student Mina Petrovski said Mr Trump's 'attitudes towards women, towards immigrants, towards minority communities in general are abhorrent.' She said it's 'shameful that the Irish government is welcoming him with open arms.'The trip comes after Mr Martin invited Mr Trump to visit Ireland when they met at the White House on St. Patrick's Day this year.Ireland's political leaders will see the visit as a chance to maintain warm trans-Atlantic relations despite differences over trade and foreign policy, issues the White House said Mr Trump wants to discuss.