Irish Independent

Unity referendum not a question of if, but when, says McDonald

- Aoife Moore

SINN Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has doubled down on her Irish reunificat­ion U-turn, saying a unity referendum is now at the centre of political discussion.

The comments come a week after Ms McDonald said a poll on Irish unity should not be held while uncertaint­y around Brexit remains.

Ms McDonald said: “It is not a question of if a unity referendum will happen, but a question of when.”

She made the remarks during her keynote speech at the 37 th annual National Hunger Strike Commemorat­ion in Castlewell­an, Co Down.

Ms McDonald added that the Government here had a responsibi­lity to lead the discussion.

“As Britain turns away from Europe, the appeal of being part of a new and outward-looking Ireland will, I believe, prove ever more attractive to some within the Unionist community.”

The Sinn Féin leader added that the party was committed to re-establishi­ng the Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland.

“The Irish and British government­s have said there will be a new round of talks in the autumn. That is welcome.

“However basic rights, respect and equality cannot be disregarde­d, they are not bargaining chips. They are for all in society,” she said.

“Marriage equality, the right to inquests and language rights are for everyone.

“The way to unlock the political process is to make clear that rights enjoyed in the rest of Ireland and across Britain will be implemente­d in the North.”

Ms McDonald added that there were more republican­s across Ireland now than at any time since partition.

The Sinn Féin leader drew ire when contradict­ing herself on the issue of the Border earlier this week.

Ms McDonald said on Monday last that while the “dangers” posed by Brexit were present, it was not the time for a Border poll.

The following day, Ms McDonald said that if there was to be a hard Brexit next year, the British government would have to hold a Border poll.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael seized on the apparent abrupt U-turn, questionin­g what prompted Ms McDonald to suddenly change her view.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said Ms McDonald’s U-turn “indicates the ‘hard men’ are not far away”.

 ?? Photo: PA ?? Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the National Hunger Strike Commemorat­ion in Co Down yesterday.
Photo: PA Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the National Hunger Strike Commemorat­ion in Co Down yesterday.

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