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Irish PM: Brexit talks should “take into account” border poll possibility

Fine Gael's Enda Kenny was up till now opposed to consider referendum on Ireland reunification

Enda Kenny.
Enda Kenny. Author: William Murphy
For the first time, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has opened the door to a referendum on reunification with Northern Ireland as a consequence of Brexit. That demand has been strongly voiced by opposition party Sinn Féin from the day after of the June 23 referendum, in which the UK as a whole voted for leaving the EU, but Northern Ireland voted to remain.

Kenny is the leader of Fine Gael. Of the two major parties in the Republic, Fine Gael has traditionally been the one more reluctant towards Irish reunification. The other one, Fianna Fáil, on the other hand, has placed itself on a more Republican path, voicing support for Irish unity, albeit through a gradual process.

"The discussions and the negotiations that take place over the next period should take into account the possibility -however far out it might be- that the clause in the Good Friday Agreement might be triggered," Kenny told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

The clause referred to by the PM provides for the holding of a referendum for the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.

"In that, if there's clear evidence of a majority of people wishing to leave the United Kingdom and join the Republic -that that should be catered for in the discussions that take place," Kenny argued.

Secretary of State for NI does not see need for border poll

According to the Good Friday Agreement, the UK secretary of State for Northern Ireland "may by order direct the holding of a poll" on unification if it seems "likely" to him or her that a majority in Northern Ireland wish to leave the UK and join the Republic.

No secretary of State has made use of this power so far. All available surveys say a clear majority of Northern Irish people reject unification with the Republic.

Current secretary of State James Brokenshire said he sees no need to call a border poll after Brexit.