Doherty calls for united Ireland to be fast-tracked

SINN Féin TD Pearse Doherty has called for the campaign for a united Ireland to be stepped up.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is not in favour of a border poll, saying last month that it would be ‘divisive’.

Mr Martin said his focus was on the new ‘Shared Island’ unit that will seek to build stronger relationships between the Government and the Stormont Executive.

Mr Doherty has said the time is right to prepare for unity and called on the Government to get involved in the campaign to secure an Irish unity referendum.

Delivering the main address at the National Hunger Strike Commemoration, which was held online this year, Mr Doherty said: ‘Now is the time to step up the campaign for Irish unity.’

He said the ten men who died on hunger strike in Long Kesh in 1981, as well as a number of republicans who died on hunger strike in previous years, ‘continue to be held in the highest esteem by republicans everywhere’.

He said: ‘The Good Friday Agreement, voted for by the people, contains provision for a referendum on Irish unity.

‘Securing that referendum should now be the shared goal of everyone who supports the reunification of this island and its people... Even those currently opposed to reunification are talking about it and considering what their place in a united Ireland would be.

The party’s deputy leader and finance spokesman added: ‘The Irish Government needs to establish a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Unity, bring forward a White Paper, and convene a Citizens’ Assembly inclusive of the entire island to discuss and plan for reunification.’

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster said on Friday that she thinks people living in Northern Ireland would not vote for a united Ireland.

Speaking at the first meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in three years, the Ulster Unionist leader said: ‘I have to say everyone knows my position in relation a border poll.’

She added: ‘If it was called today, of course people would vote to remain in the United Kingdom.’