Preparatory work which would allow a Border poll needs to take place “sooner rather than later”, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said. Mr Ahern said the “Brexit fiasco” demonstrated that an “it will be alright on the night” approach to a Border poll would not work. “We, who want a united Ireland, must do it by the powers of persuasion. Former minister for justice Michael McDowell said the Provisional IRA had attempted to coerce the people of Northern Ireland into a united Ireland. He said the next census was likely to see close parity between the number of nationalists and unionists and this could provide the basis for a Border poll by consent.

Source: The Irish Times June 05, 2021 12:18 UTC