![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2.57506837.jpg\")
Northern Ireland\u2019s First Minister Arlene Foster has said a border poll on a united Ireland would be \u201cabsolutely reckless\u201d.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland\u2019s First Minister Arlene Foster has said a border poll on a united Ireland would be \u201cabsolutely reckless\u201d.<\/p>\n
The DUP leader also said it is \u201cvery disappointing\u201d to see some nationalist parties across the UK talk about constitutional politics during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
A new poll has found a majority of people in Northern Ireland would like to see a referendum on the reunification of Ireland within the next five years.<\/p>\n
The Sunday Times commissioned a series of surveys across the four nations of the United Kingdom to gauge attitudes towards the union.<\/p>\n
It found voters across the UK believe Scotland is likely to become independent within the next decade, but in Wales and England support for independence is low. <\/p>\n
In Northern Ireland, it found 47 per cent want to remain in the UK, with 42 per cent in favour of a united Ireland and a significant proportion \u2013 11 per cent \u2013 undecided.<\/p>\n
Asked if they support a referendum on a united Ireland within the next five years, 51 per cent said yes, compared to 44 per cent who are against the idea.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Sky\u2019s Sophy Ridge On Sunday program, Ms Foster said: \u201cWe all know how divisive a border poll would be. For us in Northern Ireland, what we have to do is all come together to fight against Covid and not be distracted by what would be absolutely reckless at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
But she said she is not against having a conversation about a poll.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not that I\u2019m dead against it,\u201d she said. \u201cI can argue for the United Kingdom every day of the week because the arguments are rational, logical, and they will win through.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody is suggesting, not even this poll is suggesting, that we would lose if there was a border poll. But it would be incredibly divisive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill said there is an \u201cunstoppable\u201d conversation under way on the future of Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in politician tweeted: \u201cOver 50 per cent of people here support a referendum on unity in the next five years. There is an unstoppable conversation under way on our constitutional future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is time for the Irish Government to step up preparations. We can overcome the barriers of partition and build a new Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Ms Foster argued most people in Northern Ireland want politicians to \u201csettle down\u201d and deal with the pandemic, not discuss a border poll.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe only came back into devolution after three years out of devolution in January last year, and then we came into the pandemic in March,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore we need to get on with all of the things that matter to everybody in their everyday lives. That\u2019s what I\u2019m focused on and that\u2019s what everyone should be focused on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether economically Northern Ireland is now as much part of the EU as the UK following Brexit, Ms Foster replied: \u201cAbsolutely not. Our biggest market so far is Great Britain and will continue to be Great Britain, both in terms of who we send our services to and who we receive our services from.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are of course difficulties with the protocol, difficulties which we warned about when it was envisioned and put through parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re working with our government to overcome those difficulties.\u201d<\/p>\n
Questioned on whether the DUP should have supported former prime minister Theresa May\u2019s initial Brexit deal, Ms Foster said: \u201cAbsolutely not.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheresa May\u2019s deal would have left us in the EU customs union and the single market forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you remember, attorney general Geoffrey Cox at that time said we would not have any escape route from any EU customs union or single market.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are having a bit of revisionism around Theresa May\u2019s deal. They should revisit it and see what it meant for us in Northern Ireland and they\u2019ll come to the conclusion that it certainly was not a better deal.\u201d<\/p>\n