U2 frontman Bono has described the prospect of a united Ireland as "wonderful" and said the Republic looks "more and more attractive" to the north.
The singer was interviewed on Thursday's Channel 4 News programme, ahead of U2 beginning a series of 25 concerts at the new Sphere venue in Las Vegas.
Guitarist The Edge also praised late former SDLP leader John Hume, with whom Bono famously invited on stage with the UUP's David Trimble during a 1998 Belfast concert in support of the Good Friday Agreement.
Asked about a united Ireland, Bono - real name Paul Hewson - said: “In any marital arrangement, you’d like to think both parties would be attracted to each other - indeed falling in love would be great. We might not be at the falling in love stage, but we’re dating.”
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He said he believed the Republic had “done an amazing job at transforming our society” over the years, adding: “It feels freer, it feels fair – it’s not fair enough, we’ve got an issue with housing, there are problems in Ireland – but I think we look more and more attractive to our northern partner.”
The Edge - real name David Howell Evans - said of any future new Ireland arrangement: “I hate (that) the argument has shifted to power and sovereignty. John Hume had it right – it should be switched to community, reconciliation, finding common ground. United Ireland has to be united – it has to be actually united, not just imposed.”
