NI first minister puts definite timeline on unity referendum
Northern Ireland’s first minister has stated what she believes the deadline for a referendum on Irish Unity should be.
Michelle O’Neill appeared on the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show this weekend, discussing the highly debated political topic.
O’Neill believes that it is an opportunity for the Northern Irish people to ‘take control of our own fortunes’.
Michelle O’Neill believes that it is an opportunity for the Northern Irish people to ‘take control of our own fortunes’. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
She said that she ‘absolutely can’ see a unity referendum in her time as first minister, adding that her ‘party’s view’ is to have it held by 2030.
O’Neill said: ‘So now is the time for the plan and the preparation.
‘I don’t want done to the people here what was done in relation to Brexit.
O’Neill said it is her ‘party’s view’ to have it held by 2030. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
‘Brexit was an economic self-harm, a massive act of economic self-harm. It was done against the wishes of the people.’
She added: ‘We have an ability to take control of our own fortunes. I encourage all political leaders to reach for that together.’
The first minister’s comments directly contradict previous comments made by Micheál Martin, who doesn’t believe a unity referendum is in Ireland’s near future.
Micheál Martin doesn’t believe a unity referendum is in Ireland’s near future. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.
Back in September, the Taoiseach remarked that ‘there won’t be a border poll before 2030’.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister also appeared on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips and had a differing opinion.
Emma Little-Pengelly claimed that nationalist and republican movements in Northern Ireland have not increased their vote share since the devolution from Westminster.
She stated: ‘I’m a unionist, we have a Sinn Féin first minister. But I think it’s important to say that in Northern Ireland nationalism and republicanism haven’t increased their vote from 1998.
‘Despite democratic change, they’re sitting on and around the same percentage that they had in 1998. I think those who want to see the breakup of the union do try to constantly get this momentum.
‘I have no doubt that you will hear that again because of course to serve their purpose is to try to get that sense of momentum towards that. That doesn’t exist in Northern Ireland.’
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