Border poll for all Ireland plan rejected
A motion by Sinn Fein Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin calling for a border poll on whether or not Ireland should return to 32 counties following Brexit was defeated.
Cllr Ó’Súilleabháin said following the Brexit referendum result in which the majority of people in the six counties voted ‘Remain’, a border poll should happen. He said: ‘ The referendum will have implications for people north and south in terms of economics, tourism and agriculture so there will be a lot of businesspeople who will see it’s in their best interest to be part of an all Ireland economy. We have to give them the right to express their opinion in a ballot.’
Cllr Ó Súilleabhain said the English Government doesn’t have the right to represent Northern Irish people. In supporting the motion Cllr Deirdre Wadding said the European Union is totally undemocratic.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne said Ó Súilleabháin welcomed the Brexit in a local newspaper article, adding that the working class English voters voted against an open, inclusive society.
‘ There has been serious consequences for Rosslare and our economy in County Wexford. I personally favour the idea of a united Ireland. I think there should be a fulsome discussion about what is going on in these islands. We can’t rush into a vote. It’s not just an economic issue, there are huge implications with regard to the freedom of movement for citizens.’
Cllr George Lawlor seconded the amendment. Describing the motion as very simplistic, Cllr Lawlor said no party has a monopoly on how Irish they are.
‘We have never claimed that,’ Cllr Mythen shot back.
Cllr Keith Doyle said the people of the six counties did not vote to join with the Republic of Ireland. ‘ That should come from the people of Northern Ireland, not from the south. I want a united Ireland, but is this the right way to have it.’
Cllr Willie Fitzharris said: ‘We are heading into the unknown and that calls for cool heads. I think the last thing we need is to jump around. Now is not the time to be sending out signals of panic.’
The councillors voted unanimously to call for an examination of all relationships on the island of Ireland and at an opportune time for a border poll to be considered on the issue of a united Ireland. Cllr Ó’Súilleabhain said: ‘ This is typical of Malcolm to never miss an opportunity to attack Sinn Fein. Isn’t it ironic that people who would trip over themselves for a border vote in Scotland and they wouldn’t do it here in Ireland.’