Sinn Feinwants vote on joining Irish Republic

Dublin – Northern Ireland should hold a referendum, possibly as early as 2016, on whether it wants to remain British or become part of a united Ireland, Sinn Fein, the main pro-irish nationalist party in the province, said today.

The British Government in London, which is already facing calls to allow a referendum in 2014 on ending Scotland’s 300-year union with England, has the final say on whether a similar poll on the future of Northern Ireland can be held.

Martin Mcguinness, Sinn Fein’s leader in Northern Ireland, said he would like to see a referendum held after the next election for Northern Ireland’s assembly, which is likely to happen in 2015 or 2016.

‘‘It could take place any time between 2016 and 2020-21,’’ Mcguinness, a former commander with the Irish Republican Army guerrilla group, told the Irish Examiner newspaper.

‘‘I don’t see any reason whatso- ever why that should not be considered,’’ he said.

Just as 2014 is a key year for Scottish nationalists, marking the 700th anniversary of a historic victory over the English, so 2016 is important for Irish nationalists, as it marks the centenary of a popular uprising against British rule.

Most Irish nationalists in Northern Ireland are Catholics. However, it is not clear that all Catholics in the province would want to end the union with Britain and unite with the Irish Republic, particularly when Dublin is struggling with a deep financial crisis.

The British state is the biggest employer in Northern Ireland and there are a number of benefits, including universal free health care, which are not available in the republic.

Under a 1998 peace deal, if a referendum is approved by London, another one cannot be held for seven years.