Fianna Fáil minister ‘categorically’ disagrees with Burnham on unity poll

A Fianna Fáil minister said she “categorically and fundamentally” disagrees with comments from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, after he stated that an Irish border poll is “off the table”.

Niamh Smyth, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, said a poll on a “reunited Ireland” is not off the table, and that the Irish Government will continue to work towards one.

During his visit to Belfast on Thursday Mr Burnham said he is “here to listen” but added that the “rifts” arising from referendums “take a long time to heal”, referring to Brexit and the Scottish independence referendum.

Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Secretary of State can decide to hold a border poll, and it also places a duty on the office holder to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham with First Minister Michelle O’Neill (left) and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during his visit to Belfast on Thursday (Cathal McNaughton/PA)

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The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.

Ms Smyth, a Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, said: “As a border TD I would have to categorically and fundamentally disagree with the Prime Minister on that notion that a border poll is ‘off the table’.

“I think the Taoiseach’s approach to this has been very sincere. With the establishment of the Shared Island (Initiative) which, in my view, is doing it the correct way, there is investment to be made in the north consistently on very important capital projects.

“Doing it through education, through infrastructure like the Narrow Water Bridge, and bringing people together in a very organic collaborative way, that people learn to be in the same room, to work together and find consensus on projects that benefits citizens in the north and working with us in the Republic.

“I think people in the North can measure the Irish Government’s intention to a reunited Ireland and I certainly think it’s not off the table, that it is something that Government will continue to work towards.”

Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said: “It is very clear under the Good Friday Agreement that the Northern Ireland Secretary, when they have assessed that the mood is correct, essentially to bring forward a border poll, that’s an assessment that has to be made at a point in time.

“My own personal view is that 50 plus one will not deliver a united Ireland.

“I think you have to work in the heart of communities like we are doing through the Shared Island Fund. You have to ensure you are bringing people together, gaining people’s trust across both communities.”