![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2.42844820.jpg\")
The Sinn F\u00e9in president has urged the Government to start preparing for a border poll now as the risk of a disorderly Brexit increases.<\/p>\nThe Sinn F\u00e9in president has urged the Government to start preparing for a border poll now as the risk of a disorderly Brexit increases.<\/p>\n
Mary Lou McDonald said a referendum on Irish unity could happen \u201cvery quickly\u201d if the UK crashed out of the EU at the end of October.<\/p>\n
The Dublin TD warned of an economic border emerging between Northern Ireland and the Republic and called for the state to prepare for constitutional change.<\/p>\n
She made the comments as cabinet ministers meet to hear of the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.<\/p>\n
T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney is briefing ministers on three new reports about contingency planning and challenges in the event of a no-deal scenario.<\/p>\n
Speaking on RTE\u2019s Sean O\u2019Rourke show, Ms McDonald said: \u201cAt this juncture, the Government is correct to put renewed focus on the possibility of a disorderly crash.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to prepare diplomatically and politically.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Britain chooses by accident to crash out of the EU in a disorderly fashion then that decision cannot mean we take big steps backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU, public opinion has \u201cmade clear\u201d they wish to see the issue of the border addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe we can best prepare ourselves by doing that in a thoughtful, methodical and prepared way,\u201d the Sinn F\u00e9in president added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why preparation is of the essence because if that is to happen, the Irish Government needs to be in a state of preparedness and I think that the time is now for the Government to create that space, that context, that framework for an all-island inclusive conversation on Ireland post-Brexit and on the issue of the border.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am talking about a referendum as and when we are prepared to have one and this could happen very, very quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like any of the great seismic political changes that have happened in modern times \u2013 when they happen, they happen very quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can be in a matter of weeks, in some cases days.\u201d<\/p>\n
In reference to the party\u2019s long-standing abstentionist policy in Westminster, Ms McDonald said: \u201cIt is not within the gift of Sinn F\u00e9in to stop Brexit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fianna Fail\u2019s Brexit spokeswoman Lisa Chambers said Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s position on Brexit has been \u201ctempered\u201d and accused the party of using it to advance its political agenda of a border poll.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said we must be preparing now and I think that is utterly reckless,\u201d Ms Chambers added.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalking about a border poll when Brexit is just 114 days away only further destabilizes the situation we already have, and certainly if we have a Brexit crash, the last thing our Government should be doing is preparing for a border poll.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt needs to help our small to medium enterprises, our hauliers, because a lot of businesses will be looking to Government for significant support.\u201d<\/p>\n