Minister expects poll on unity in Ireland to occur in next decade

Source: Northern Ireland News

DUBLIN, Ireland: Northern Ireland's new First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has expressed her expectation that a vote on Irish unity will occur within the next decade.

O'Neill, who assumed the role of First Minister, becoming the first nationalist to hold the position, highlighted the "decade of opportunity" during a historic session of the Stormont Assembly. This follows the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) decision to end its boycott of the power-sharing institutions, with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald stating that Irish unity was now "within touching distance."

McDonald echoed O'Neill's comments on unity, emphasizing the ongoing change taking place on the island of Ireland, which she described as a positive and healthy development.

She said, "That is a good thing; it is a healthy thing, and this change can benefit us all."

"I also believe that we can do two things at once; we can have power-sharing, we can make it stable, we can work together daily in terms of public services while we also pursue our equally legitimate aspirations."

Asked if this meant a unity referendum in the next decade, O'Neill said, "Yes. I believe we are in a decade of opportunity and there are so many things that are changing. All the old norms, the nature of this estate, the fact that a nationalist/republican was never supposed to be First Minister. This all speaks to that change."

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan refrained from speculating on O'Neill's comments and focused on the significance of Stormont's return to action. "It has been a long time, and I know lots of people have been working towards this day. That is where things that affect Northern Ireland will be discussed."

Shadow digital minister Chris Bryant said a border poll in Northern Ireland may "come at some point".

When asked whether there should be a poll, he said, "It is not for me to decide what should happen in Northern Ireland. That is for the people of Northern Ireland."

Under the Good Friday Agreement, the authority to call a border poll rests with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris.