Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice and Cavan-Monaghan TD, Matt Carthy, has described the comments by Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, that Irish Unity was not a priority for him, as deeply disappointing.

Deputy Carthy said any attempts by the government to push the demand for Irish Unity further down the road would be strongly challenged by Sinn Féin.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Many people will be deeply disappointed by the comments of the Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, that Irish Unity is not a priority for him. Irish Unity isn’t something that can be dismissed in this way. This has to be a priority for the Irish government.

“Sinn Féin will not accept a position from the Irish Government that seeks to push Irish Unity down the road. Put simply, the people of Ireland have waited for long enough.

“Simon Harris spoke about the Irish Government being a co guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. He needs to understand what that actually means.

“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish government has a responsibility to ensure that the promises of that agreement when it comes to a poll on Irish Unity is respected and realised.

“The process of moving a United Ireland from an aspiration to a reality must start now. It’s now time to start planning for Irish Unity and the Irish Government must use its position to ensure that a referendum on Irish Unity is held by the end of the decade.

“An artificial border drawn more than one hundred years ago is holding us back as a country. It is holding us back from achieving our full potential – our potential to be a better, fairer, stronger country. This government needs to understand that it is time to start the work of planning and preparing to make this a reality.”