United Ireland Becoming A 'Very Real' Possibility- Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein's Deputy Leader Michelle O'Neill has said the prospect of Irish unity is now a very real one.

The Stormont party leader indicated that Brexit was among other "political and societal changes" that are driving many towards the "logic" of Irish unity.

She commented: "Continued divisions on the island of Ireland in 2019 are becoming ever less tenable in the face of national and international events. The prospect of a return to a hard border in Ireland has horrified the vast majority of people and is ensuring a determination that his country should move forward rather than back.

"It is increasingly clear that Partition is a huge obstacle to building a modern, open and forward-looking society with a dynamic economy. I welcome new public conversation that is now underway about Ireland's constitutional future post-Brexit.

"The Good Friday Agreement provides a democratic resolution to the problems caused to Ireland by Brexit - a democratic referendum on Irish reunification."

The Mid-Ulster MLA added that the prospect is no longer a long-term aim for her party: "Sinn Féin is campaigning for a referendum and this week, in advance of Easter we are drawing attention to the fact that it's Time for Unity. We want as many people as possible to begin discussing how we share this island as the future unfolds.

"As part of raising awareness around this extremely important issue, we will beholding a series of events to promote Irish unity.

"I hope this goes some way to engaging more people on the issue, so that together we can build a United Ireland fit for all our people."

Mrs O'Neill's statements come as Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, uttered a clear commitment to block any trade deal with her country unless the Good Friday Agreement is protected.

Speaking on a political delegation to Ireland, in which she visited border regions and addressed the Oireachtas, the influential politician said: "Let me be clear: if the Brexit deal undermines the Good Friday Accords, there will be no US-UK trade agreement."



(JG/MH)