Ciara Kelly has said a British MP who wants Ireland to rejoin the Commonwealth can “get stuffed”.
Conservative Andrew Rosindell suggested in a House of Commons debate to mark St Patrick’s Day that Ireland should “emulate countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand" and rejoin to "take their rightful place in the family of the Commonwealth of Nations".
Ireland left the Commonwealth following the declaration of the Republic in 1949.
At the time, allegiance to the British monarch was a compulsory element of Commonwealth membership; however, that changed when India said it would like to become a republic and remain a member.
Now most Commonwealth countries are republics but acknowledge King Charles as head of the organisation.
Either way, Newstalk Breakfast presenter Ciara Kelly wants nothing to do with it.
“There may be advantages, economically or otherwise, I don’t know,” she said.
“But it doesn’t really feel like that matters; it feels to me like that’s an emotive thing.
“[That] we didn’t establish our independence and get away from Britain just to go back into the Commonwealth.
“And that’s what it feels like; I baulk at it, even though I’m not sure logically it makes any sense.”
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Fellow presenter Shane Coleman said he too sees no advantage to joining the club.
“The Commonwealth is an anachronism; our future lies with Europe,” he said.
“I don’t see any economic benefit to joining the Commonwealth.
“I love the idea of having close relations with Britain; they’re the country in the world that we have the most in common with - I have no problem with that.
“It’s not an anti-British thing, I just don’t see the need to rejoin the Commonwealth personally.”
Britain's King Charles and Queen-Consort Camilla. Picture via @RoyalFamily on Twitter.Shane added that he “wouldn’t have a difficulty with it” if Ireland were united and if people in Northern Ireland wanted the new State to be a member.
“As you say it there now, I’m baulking even more,” Ciara replied.
“I think they’re cheeky when they say things like that, to be honest,” she said.
“‘Welcome you back into the fold’, get stuffed.”
While Ireland seems unlikely to put in an application to join the Commonwealth any time soon, the United States might.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump replied on social media to a post suggesting America might apply for associate membership with the comment, “I love King Charles. Sounds good to me!”
Main image: Split of King Charles and Ciara Kelly. Images by: Alamy.com and Newstalk.
