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Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald giving her keynote speech during her party's Ard Fheis. Brian Lawless/PA Images

Poll: Would you like to see an Irish unity referendum in the next five years?

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald made the call at the party’s Ard Fheis in Derry last night.

AT THE SINN Féin Ard Fheis last night, leader Mary Lou McDonald said that a referendum on Irish unity “must happen in the next five years”. 

She said that – among other factors – delivering on Irish unity is the only basis that her party would enter government. 

The fallout from Brexit has now accelerated these calls for a united Ireland, McDonald said. Under the Good Friday Agreement, a majority in Northern Ireland would have to support Irish unity along with a majority in Ireland.

“The Irish government and all who say that now is not the time to speak of unity are wrong,” she added. “It is not a question of if, but a question of when. Now is the time to prepare.”

On Today FM’s Dermot and Dave show last month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would like to see a united Ireland in his lifetime, but that “we need to make sure that unionists in Northern Ireland and British people in Northern Ireland feel that a united Ireland is a warm place for them” if that point was ever reached.

So, what do you think? Would you like to see an Irish unity referendum in the next five years?


Poll Results:

Yes (11375)
No (5675)
No, but maybe within the next 10-20 years (4416)
Not sure (864)

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    Mute Paul Radburn
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:03 PM

    Fair play to her

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    Mute mister
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:10 PM

    And how appropriate that she comes from an age-group that is particularly affected by the problem.

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    Mute J. Dunn
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:57 PM

    Necessity is the mother of invention.

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    Mute Roisin Byrne
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:16 PM

    Well that makes me feel like an underachiever, but fair play to her!

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    Mute Shane Mc Quillan
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:16 PM

    Should try it out on everyone who has a social media profile. Plenty of people aged 25+ who would still post a nasty and cyber bullying type of comment,even after a moment of reflection on it

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    Mute Aoife Kally
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:16 PM

    Wow that’s fantastic :)

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    Mute Bernard O'Brien
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    Aug 9th 2014, 5:32 PM

    Maith an cailin. Go n’eiri an bothar leat.

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    Mute John Doyle
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:35 PM

    So Think before you speak? Please tell me more about this discovery.

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    Mute Dylan
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:39 PM

    I thought that’s what kids were told in school all the time about cyber bullying

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:14 PM

    What a goodie goodie two shoes, full of herself little madam.

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Aug 9th 2014, 4:15 PM

    Wait a minute, I didn’t want to send that. :-)

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    Mute Brigid Popps
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    Aug 9th 2014, 6:32 PM

    What an innovator congrats to her it would be wonderful to see the end of this vile practice

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    Mute Wont be censored
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    Aug 10th 2014, 1:30 AM

    She would have enough material for her doctorate on the Journal.ie comments section.

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    Mute joe soap
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    Aug 9th 2014, 6:58 PM

    I have a much easier surefire way.get off the internet.

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    Mute Dervy O' S
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    Aug 10th 2014, 1:08 AM

    Such a great idea, delighted to see their are some compassionate little teens out there wanting to make the world a better place :) fair play to her :)

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    Mute Windom Earle
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    Aug 9th 2014, 10:35 PM

    I think she should blame Obama and Israel.

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    Mute John Ocallaghan
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    Aug 10th 2014, 5:17 AM

    Jack grow up

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    Mute WellHello
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    Aug 10th 2014, 11:20 AM

    Think we’ll be hearing a lot more from this girl in years to come! Well done!

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