Borderpolltoo‘premature’

Councillors responded to calls for a border poll, saying it was ‘ too premature’ amid the Brexit chaos in Britain.

Cllr Ruairi O’Murchu submitted a motion at the November meeting, calling for the council to immediately plan for a united Ireland and for the Minister to ask the Secretary of State in the north to set a date for a poll on Irish unification.

But members said it was ‘not the time’ for a poll to be held, as it would only add to the current divisions.

Cllr. Maria Doyle said she could not support the motion, adding ‘ The current focus should be on getting Brexit sorted and Stormont up and running again in the north.’ She said: ‘Calls for a border poll are extremely unhelpful.’ Cllr. John McGahon agreed, adding that it was ‘ too premature to set a date for a border poll.’

He added that he would like to see a poll take place ‘at some stage, but at a less controversial time,’ saying ‘Also at a time when we could be pretty sure it would be successful.’

Cllr. Pio Smyth said there was ‘a real fear’ of a return to violence with deepening divisions in the north.

Cllr. Kevin Callan said the call ‘plays to a political base, but would only serve to make things worse.’ He said a border poll at this time ‘ has the potential to add fuel to the fire.’

North Louth Councillor Erin McGreehan said she agreed that poll was needed at some stage, but warned that it should not be undertaken without proper planning.’

Cllr. Edel Corrigan added that she would support the motion, which had been put forward to ‘open up a conversation about what a united Ireland would look like.’

The council agreed to adopt the first part of the motion on planning for a united Ireland.