“The Irish government can no longer bury their heads in the sand,” McDonald said.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the British and Irish Governments to start planning for Irish unity.
Her comments come after the broadcast of a BBC Spotlight programme on Tuesday night, marking the centenary of the foundation of Northern Ireland.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared on the show, stating that he could not envisage a border poll taking place for “a very, very long time to come”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also said on the programme that holding a border poll soon would be “explosive and divisive”.
In response, Mary Lou McDonald issued a statement calling on the Governments to “end the denial” and begin plans for Irish unity.
McDonald said: “The Good Friday Agreement expressly provides for referenda on Irish unity to be held north and south. Both the Irish and British governments are bound to uphold the Agreement. Dismissive rhetoric does not – and cannot – take from their obligations.
“The British Prime Minister Boris Johnston has no right to stand in the way of progress and orderly constitutional change in Ireland. His comments on this evening’s Spotlight programme are arrogant and unacceptable.
“There is now a live and growing conversation underway about Irish unity and the benefits it will bring to the people of Ireland, north and south. Vibrant and inclusive conversations are taking place in communities across the island.”
McDonald said Brexit and Covid-19 have exposed “the very real dangers” of having two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.
She stated that Irish unity is an “exciting opportunity to build an economically strong and diverse country that reconciles past divisions and looks to the future”.
McDonald continued: “The Irish government can no longer bury their heads in the sand. Failing to plan for constitutional change at this critical juncture represents a dereliction of duty.
“The Taoiseach’s continued refusal to accept this reality is reckless. The responsible and necessary approach is to now engage in discussions and dialogue and to plan for change.”
The Sinn Féin leader called for the immediate commissioning of a government White Paper on Irish Unity, the establishment of an Oireachtas Committee on Irish Unity, the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the convening of a Citizens’ Assembly on Irish reunification.
Her statement concluded: “Unity represents an opportunity to bring all of our people together to build a new Ireland. We believe that can happen within the next five years. Preparation for unity is urgent and must begin now.”
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