Micheál Martin
Ceist:99. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if a referendum on Irish unity will be planned in the near future. [14483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 March 2017
Ceisteanna (99)
Freagraí scríofa
The Good Friday Agreement sets out the mechanism by which a united Ireland might come about, including a provision that, if people north and south of the Border decide by referendum that there should be a united Ireland, they should have that opportunity. It is for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to decide to hold a referendum there, based on whether it appears likely that a majority in Northern Ireland would support unity.
I do not believe, based on most recent polling evidence, that this is currently the case, and therefore do not agree that now is an appropriate time to hold a referendum on this, North or South.
That said, in the context of Brexit, I believe it is essential that this fundamental part of the Good Friday Agreement not be undermined in any way.
Furthermore, the Government will seek to ensure that, in the event of the mechanism being invoked at some future point, leading to a united Ireland, all parts of that united Ireland will automatically be treated as part of the EU (as happened, for example, when East and West Germany were united).