Sinn Féin Councillor Mark Ward had a motion passed on South Dublin County Council calling on the Irish Government to immediately plan for a United Ireland and to call on the British Government to plan for a border poll. There was opposition to the motion from Fine Gael, Solidarity and Independents.

Cllr Ward said:

“The British Brexit debacle raises the prospect of the six counties being taken out of the EU. The fact that Britain voted to leave the European Union must lead to a vote on a united Ireland.

“Economically, the north and south of this island are interlinked and interdependent. Countless numbers of jobs depend on an All Ireland economy with the free flow of people and goods essential for it to function.

“The reality of Brexit is that we could now have one part of the island within the European Union and another part outside. The consequences of this are self-evident in terms of the border and partition.

“An RTÉ/TG4 exit poll after the last local and European elections indicated there is strong support for a united Ireland among Irish voters. According to the exit poll, 77% of voters polled who chose a preference indicated they’d vote in favour of a united Ireland if a referendum was held tomorrow.

“The will of the people is there but the political will is failing us. This Government are constantly telling us that they are planning for every eventuality of Brexit. I have yet to see any plans they have for a United Ireland. We need a comprehensive road map for a United Ireland.

“When a United Ireland does happen, and it will, the political landscape on this island will be transformed. No more of the status quo.

“If the British Prime Minister is intent on a no deal Brexit, it is beholding on our Government to call for a border poll on Irish Unity under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.

“A border poll will allow the people of the North to self determine their future in a democratic process. The 71% of the people in the North who voted in favour for the Good Friday agreement with the knowledge that it paved a pathway to a United Ireland.

“History will tell us that Irish interests, never have or never will be served by Westminster. Partition has failed, it has stifled our island. It has halted our potential for nearly a century.

“Brexit will serve only to reinforce partition and cause further damage our island.

“South Dublin County Council has a population of 285k people, we as Councillors are democratically elected to represent them.

“So, with the weight of 285k people I am calling for this Council to support my motion to call on  the Irish Government to immediately plan for a United Ireland and furthermore to ask the Minister to call on the British Secretary of State to plan for a border poll on Irish Unification.

“The Government has to begin planning for unity.”