Call for a committee of TDs and Senators to be set up to prepare a border poll

A Fine Gael TD has called for the establishment of an Oireachtas committee of TDs and Senators to prepare a border poll.

ublin TD Neale Richmond has said a border poll could take place in the next decade due to Brexit and the UK government is now considering scrapping the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“It is now entirely conceivable that a British Foreign Secretary for Northern Ireland could convene a border survey on Irish unity within the next decade,” he said at an event in London.

“It is therefore the duty of the Irish Government to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for the challenge of such a referendum.

“That’s why I call for the establishment of an all-party Oireachta select committee to look at the challenges and opportunities that Irish unity presents.”

His comments come after Sinn Féin became the largest party in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill is on track to become First Minister and the party has rocketed for months in Republic polls.

Some TDs and Senators have privately admitted that Sinn Féin will be in government after the next election.

Mr Richmond said this committee of “stakeholders, experts and advocates of all positions” would be able to work out the “small details” of what a United Ireland would look like.

“Those of us who want a united Ireland, a new Ireland, must be willing to put in the work of presenting our vision to all the people of these islands.

“We can build a new Ireland, one that is united and inclusive and that is a full member of the EU,” he said.

“Brexit showed us what happens when you ask a question without a clear outline of the answer. Let’s learn from the lessons of Brexit and move forward responsibly.”