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Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has described Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s calls for a border poll on a united Ireland as divisive and said he would favor a different approach.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has described Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s calls for a border poll on a united Ireland as divisive and said he would favor a different approach.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald said a referendum on Irish unity is \u201cimperative\u201d to growing the Irish economy.<\/p>\n
Speaking in the D\u00e1il on Tuesday she said: \u201cA united Ireland is the best idea for the future of our country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is essential to the prosperity of all our people because growing our economy requires an all-Ireland approach.<\/p>\n
“Protecting our health service requires an all-Ireland approach.”<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said an all-island unit has been set up in the Department of the Taoiseach but said Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s insistence on a border poll is divisive.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI don\u2019t believe precipitating or organizing a referendum like that is the way to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the Sinn F\u00e9in position since Brexit happened and you have come back a bit from it.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI think the over focus on the border poll was too divisive, too partisan and would only run counter to what you wanted to achieve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would favor a different approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would favor a stronger north-south relationship and the development of that.\u201d He said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe agenda for the future of this island is how we engineer and develop an accommodation where we can all live in peace and harmony on the island and to not try to dictate to one tradition about what the solution is going to be which seems to be the agenda you\u2019re pursuing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Good Friday Agreement is the defining document because it is based on three sets of relationships, the British-Irish relationship, the north-south relationship and the two traditions within Northern Ireland itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said the focus of the all island unit is to see how the Government can \u201cdevelop a shared future\u201d.<\/p>\n