Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has walked in New York's St Patrick's Day parade which up until recently had banned LGBT groups from marching.

Sometimes the best way to understand reality is to indulge in fantasy. So, try to imagine what the Irish and British governments — and Stormont if it can stir itself — might do if Sinn Féin were to organise an unofficial vote on Irish unity in the North. 

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams tonight welcomed news that Democratic Unionist leader, the Reverend Ian Paisley, is planning to meet the Taoiseach.