View source for United Ireland

{{Short description|Proposition that all of Ireland should be a single state}}
{{about|the Irish political movement}}
{{Distinguish|Unionism in Ireland}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}{{Multiple image
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| image2            = Ireland (MODIS).jpg
| caption1          = [[Ireland]] map; [[Republic of Ireland]], [[Northern Ireland]] and their respective capitals
| caption2          = Satellite image of [[Ireland]], nicknamed "The Emerald Isle"
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[[File:Ireland (island) in Europe.png|thumb|right|Ireland in [[Europe]]]]
'''United Ireland''' ({{langx|ga|Éire Aontaithe}}), also referred to as '''Irish reunification'''<ref>{{cite news |last=Merrick |first=Rob |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/united-ireland-referendum-brexit-vote-inevitable-irish-parliament-report-mark-daly-fianna-fail-a7873696.html |title=United Ireland referendum is inevitable after Brexit, says Irish parliamentary report author |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802193002/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/united-ireland-referendum-brexit-vote-inevitable-irish-parliament-report-mark-daly-fianna-fail-a7873696.html |archive-date=2 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Meagher |first=Kevin |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/northern-ireland_uk_5a4d0d92e4b0df0de8b06eaf |title=A United Ireland Is Five Years Away. We Need To Start Planning For It Now |work=[[HuffPost|HuffPost UK]] |date=9 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109173819/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/northern-ireland_uk_5a4d0d92e4b0df0de8b06eaf |archive-date=9 January 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Irish Times 2017-08-15">{{cite news |last=O'Toole |first=Fintan |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-united-ireland-will-not-be-based-on-50-per-cent-plus-one-1.3186234 |title=United Ireland will not be based on '50 per cent plus one' |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=15 August 2017 |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=7 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307023144/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-united-ireland-will-not-be-based-on-50-per-cent-plus-one-1.3186234 |url-status=live }}</ref> or a ''New Ireland'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGonagle |first=Suzanne |date=2023-09-04 |title=DUP founding member says 'New Ireland' is now inevitable |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/09/04/news/dup_founding_member_says_new_ireland_is_now_inevitable-3582077/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Jane |date=2023-06-08 |title=The border poll goes mainstream in Grimes and McKee's New Ireland |url=https://www.irishnews.com/arts/stage/2023/06/09/news/the_border_poll_goes_mainstream_in_grimes_and_mckee_s_new_ireland-3332955/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Manley |first=John |date=2023-06-15 |title=Patsy McGlone calls for debate about British identity and a 'new Ireland' |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/06/15/news/patsy-3354441/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-01 |title=Ireland's Future: Leo Varadkar and Jimmy Nesbitt speak at united Ireland event |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63094415 |access-date=2023-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-01 |title=Days of treading water on planning for Irish unification are over, McDonald says |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/mary-lou-mcdonald-ireland-irish-sinn-fein-dublin-b2190315.html |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> is the proposition that all of [[Ireland]] should be a single [[sovereign state]].<ref>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/polsol.htm CAIN: Politics – An Outline of the Main Political 'Solutions' to the Conflict] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709040238/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/polsol.htm |date=9 July 2011 }}, United Ireland Definition.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Tonge|first1=Jonathan|title=Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317875185|page=201|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6hFEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA201|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412232923/https://books.google.com/books?id=6hFEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA201|url-status=live}}</ref> At present, the island is divided politically: the sovereign state of Ireland (legally described also as the [[Republic of Ireland]]) has jurisdiction over the majority of Ireland, while [[Northern Ireland]], which lies entirely within (but consists of only 6 of 9 counties of) the [[Provinces of Ireland|Irish province]] of [[Ulster]], is part of the [[United Kingdom]]. Achieving a united Ireland is a central tenet of [[Irish nationalism]] and [[Irish Republicanism|Republicanism]], particularly of both mainstream and [[dissident Irish republicanism|dissident republican]] political and paramilitary organisations.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Byrne|first1=Sean|editor1-last=Carter|editor1-first=Judy|editor2-last=Irani|editor2-first=George|editor3-last=Volkan|editor3-first=Vamik D.|title=Regional and Ethnic Conflicts: Perspectives from the Front Lines|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317344667|page=219|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZYTCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA219|access-date=12 April 2017|chapter=The Politics of Peace and War in Northern Ireland|archive-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412231241/https://books.google.com/books?id=RZYTCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA219|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Unionism in Ireland|Unionists]] support Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom and oppose Irish unification.<ref name="NewStatesman 2019-02-11">{{cite news |last=Hogan |first=Caelainn |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/brexit/2019/02/united-ireland-now-looks-increasing-possibility |title=A united Ireland now looks like an increasing possibility |work=[[NewStatesman]] |date=11 February 2019 |access-date=14 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327150153/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/brexit/2019/02/united-ireland-now-looks-increasing-possibility |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/26/hard-brexit-united-ireland-second-referendum-dup|title=If we're heading for a hard Brexit, then we're heading for a united Ireland|author=Patrick Kielty|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=26 February 2019|access-date=26 Feb 2019|archive-date=26 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226094658/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/26/hard-brexit-united-ireland-second-referendum-dup|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ireland has been [[Partition of Ireland|partitioned]] since May 1921, when the [[Government of Ireland Act 1920]] came into effect, creating two separate jurisdictions—Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland—within the United Kingdom. Southern Ireland never fully functioned and was soon replaced by the Irish Free State in 1922, which became independent, while Northern Ireland opted to remain part of the UK. The [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]], which led to the establishment in December 1922 of a [[dominion]] called the [[Irish Free State]], recognised partition, but this was opposed by anti-Treaty republicans. When the anti-Treaty [[Fianna Fáil]] party came to power in the 1930s, it adopted a [[Constitution of Ireland|new constitution]] which claimed sovereignty over the entire island. The [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) had a united Ireland as its goal during the conflict with British security forces and [[Ulster loyalism#Paramilitary and vigilante groups|loyalist paramilitaries]] from the 1960s to the 1990s known as [[The Troubles]]. The [[Good Friday Agreement]] signed in 1998, which ended the conflict, acknowledged the legitimacy of the desire for a united Ireland, while declaring that it could be achieved only with the consent of a majority of the people of both jurisdictions on the island, and providing a mechanism for ascertaining this in certain circumstances.

In 2016, following the [[United Kingdom]]'s decision to leave the [[European Union]] with [[Brexit]], [[Sinn Féin]] called for a referendum on Irish reunification. The decision had increased the perceived likelihood of a united Ireland, in order to avoid the possible requirement for a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/opinion/brexit-ireland.html|title=Opinion {{!}} A St. Patrick's Day Miracle: United Ireland|last=Egan|first=Timothy|date=16 March 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=8 April 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405181836/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/opinion/brexit-ireland.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Brexit is making Irish reunification a real possibility|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-brexit-is-making-irish-reunification-a-real-possibility/|publisher=The Globe and Mail|access-date=8 April 2019|archive-date=9 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409021340/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/world/article-brexit-is-making-irish-reunification-a-real-possibility/|url-status=live|last1=Waldie|first1=Paul}}</ref> though the imposition of a hard border has not, as yet, eventuated. Fine Gael [[Taoiseach]] [[Enda Kenny]] successfully negotiated that in the event of reunification, Northern Ireland will become part of the EU, just as [[East Germany]] was permitted to join [[European Communities|the EU's predecessor institutions]] by [[reunification of Germany|reuniting]] with the rest of [[Germany]] after the [[fall of the Berlin Wall]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/enda-kenny-welcomes-eu-s-united-ireland-agreement-1.3066687 | title=Enda Kenny welcomes EU's united Ireland agreement | newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref>

The majority of [[Ulster Protestants]], almost half the population of Northern Ireland, favour continued union with [[Great Britain]], and have done so historically. Four of the six counties have [[Irish Catholic]] majorities, and majorities voting for Irish nationalist parties,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/new-light-shed-on-prospect-of-catholic-majority-in-north-1.3891032 | title=New light shed on prospect of Catholic majority in North | newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/ |title=Northern Ireland Elections |website=Ark.ac.uk |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive]] |access-date=4 February 2014 |archive-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209072434/http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Catholics have become the plurality in Northern Ireland as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Census |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/census/2021-census |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency |language=en}}</ref> Religious affiliation in Northern Ireland offers only a general indication of political preference, as some Protestants support a united Ireland while some Catholics oppose it.<ref name="NILT 2006 Political_Attitudes NIRELAND">{{cite web |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2006/Political_Attitudes/NIRELAND.html |title=2006 Survey: What do you think the long-term policy for Northern Ireland should be? |work=Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive]] |date=17 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628234933/https://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2006/Political_Attitudes/NIRELAND.html |archive-date=28 June 2007 |access-date=14 March 2019 }}</ref> Two surveys in 2011 identified a significant number of Catholics who favoured the continuation of the union without identifying themselves as unionists or British.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Liam|title=Most Northern Ireland Catholics want to remain in UK|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/survey-most-northern-ireland-catholics-want-to-remain-in-uk-28628245.html|access-date=19 March 2017|work=The Belfast Telegraph|date=17 June 2011|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319114022/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/survey-most-northern-ireland-catholics-want-to-remain-in-uk-28628245.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2024, a survey showed supporters of the union equated to a plurality at 48.6%, rather than a majority in Northern Ireland for the first time, while 33.76% supported Irish unity.<ref>[https://www.irishnews.com/news/politics/research-reveals-supporters-of-the-union-are-now-a-minority-AEVO77VEFZFJPGIRTF5A435TOM/ "Research reveals supporters of the union are now a minority"], [[Irish News]], October 2024</ref>

==Legal basis for future change==
Article 3.1 of the [[Constitution of Ireland]] "recognises that a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed, in both jurisdictions in the island".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#part1|title=Constitution|year=2015|publisher=Office of the Attorney-General|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503055502/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#part1|url-status=live}}</ref> This provision was introduced in 1999 after implementation of the [[Good Friday Agreement]], as part of replacing the old [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland|Articles 2 and 3]], which had laid a direct claim to the whole island as the national territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/eile/brainstorm/2019/0327/1038871-a-new-conversation-about-a-united-ireland-could-be-a-win-for-all/|title=A new conversation about a united Ireland could be a win for all|date=27 March 2019|publisher=[[RTÉ]]|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327112107/https://www.rte.ie/eile/brainstorm/2019/0327/1038871-a-new-conversation-about-a-united-ireland-could-be-a-win-for-all/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Northern Ireland Act 1998]], a statute of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], provides that Northern Ireland will remain within the United Kingdom unless a majority of the people of Northern Ireland vote to form part of a united Ireland. It specifies that the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]] "shall exercise the power [to hold a referendum] if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland". Such referendums may not take place within seven years of each other.<ref name=1998Act>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/47/schedule/1 |title=Northern Ireland Act 1998, Schedule 1 |year=1998 |work=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=10 June 2017 |archive-date=20 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220045609/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/47/schedule/1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 supersedes previous similar legislative provisions. The [[Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973]] also provided that Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom unless a majority voted otherwise in a referendum,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/hmso/nica1973.htm#section1|title=CAIN: HMSO: Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973|first=Dr Martin|last=Melaugh|website=cain.ulst.ac.uk|access-date=11 May 2017|archive-date=22 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222012540/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/hmso/nica1973.htm#section1|url-status=live}}</ref> while under the [[Ireland Act 1949]] the consent of the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] was needed for a united Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/hmso/irelandact1949org.pdf|title=CAIN|access-date=11 May 2017|archive-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401192639/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/hmso/irelandact1949org.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1985, the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] affirmed, while providing for devolved government in Northern Ireland, and an advisory role for the Republic of Ireland government, that any change in the status of Northern Ireland would only come about with the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/aia/aiadoc.htm#a|title=CAIN: Events: Anglo-Irish Agreement - Document|first=Dr Martin|last=Melaugh|website=cain.ulst.ac.uk|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501234124/http://www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/aia/aiadoc.htm#a|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Home Rule, resistance and the Easter Rising===
[[File:1885 United Kingdom general election (Ireland) map - winning party vote share by constituency.svg|thumb|232x232px|[[1885 United Kingdom general election|1885 general election]] winning party vote share by constituency (Note: The [[Representation of the People Act 1918|Representation of the People Act]] extending the vote to all men over 21 and most women over 30 did not arrive until 1918.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Parliament key dates |url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/electionsvoting/chartists/keydates/}}</ref>)]]
The [[Kingdom of Ireland]] as a whole had become part of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]] under the [[Acts of Union 1800]]. From the 1870s, support for some form of an elected parliament in Dublin grew. In 1870, [[Isaac Butt]], who was a Protestant, formed the [[Home Government Association]], which became the [[Home Rule League]]. [[Charles Stewart Parnell]], also a Protestant, became leader in 1880, and the organisation became the [[Irish National League]] in 1882. Despite the religion of its early leaders, its support was strongly associated with Irish Catholics. In 1886, Parnell formed a parliamentary alliance with [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]] Prime Minister [[William Ewart Gladstone]] and secured the introduction of the [[Government of Ireland Bill 1886|First Home Rule Bill]]. This was opposed by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] and led to a split in the Liberal Party, the [[Liberal Unionist Party]]. Opposition in Ireland was concentrated in the heavily Protestant counties in Ulster. The difference in religious background was a legacy of the [[Ulster Plantation]] in the early seventeenth century. In 1893, the [[Government of Ireland Bill 1893|Second Home Rule Bill]] passed in the House of Commons, but was defeated in the House of Lords, where the Conservatives dominated. A Third Home Rule Bill was introduced in 1912, and in September 1912, just under half a million men and women signed the [[Ulster Covenant]] to swear they would resist its application in Ulster. The [[Ulster Volunteers|Ulster Volunteer Force]] were formed in 1913 as a militia to resist Home Rule.

The [[Government of Ireland Act 1914]] (previously known as the Third Home Rule Bill) provided for a unitary devolved Irish Parliament, a culmination of several decades of work from the [[Irish Parliamentary Party]]. It was signed into law in September 1914 in the midst of the [[Home Rule Crisis]] and at the outbreak of the [[World War I|First World War]]. On the same day, the [[Suspensory Act 1914]] suspended its actual operation.[[File:Easter Proclamation of 1916.png|thumb|[[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]], presented to the Irish people during the [[Easter Rising]] of 1916|249x249px]]In 1916, a group of revolutionaries led by the [[Irish Republican Brotherhood]] launched the [[Easter Rising]], during which they issued a [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]]. The rebellion was not successful and sixteen of the leaders were executed. The small separatist party [[Sinn Féin]] became associated with the Rising in its aftermath as several of those involved in it were party members.

The [[Irish Convention]] held between 1917 and 1918 sought to reach agreement on manner in which Home Rule would be implemented after the war. All Irish parties were invited, but Sinn Féin boycotted the proceedings. By the end of the First World War, a number of moderate unionists came to support Home Rule, believing that it was the only way to keep a united Ireland in the United Kingdom. The [[Irish Dominion League]] opposed partition of Ireland into separate southern and northern jurisdictions, while arguing that the whole of Ireland should be granted [[dominion]] status with the British Empire.<ref>John Kendle, ''Ireland and the Federal Solution: The Debate over the United Kingdom Constitution, 1870-1920'' (McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP, 1 Jan 1989), 231.</ref>
[[File:Irish UK election 1918.png|thumb|Result of the [[1918 Irish general election]]]]
At the [[1918 Irish general election|1918 election]] Sinn Féin won 73 of the 105 seats; however, there was a strong regional divide, with the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] (UUP) winning 23 of the 38 seats in Ulster. Sinn Féin had run on a [[Sinn Féin Manifesto 1918|manifesto]] of [[Abstentionism|abstaining]] from the [[United Kingdom House of Commons]], and from 1919 met in Dublin as [[Dáil Éireann]]. At its first meeting, the Dáil adopted the [[Irish Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence of the Irish Republic]], a claim which it made in respect of the entire island. Supporters of this Declaration fought in the [[Irish War of Independence]].

===Two jurisdictions===
During this period, the [[Government of Ireland Act 1920]] repealed the previous 1914 Act, and provided for two separate devolved parliaments in Ireland. It defined [[Northern Ireland]] as "the parliamentary counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone, and the parliamentary boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry" and [[Southern Ireland (1921–1922)|Southern Ireland]] "so much of Ireland as is not comprised within the said parliamentary counties and boroughs". Section 3 of this Act provided that the parliaments may be united by identical acts of parliament:
{{quote frame
|1. The Parliaments of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland may, by identical Acts agreed to by an absolute majority of members of the House of Commons of each Parliament at the third reading ..., establish, in lieu of the Council of Ireland, a Parliament for the whole of Ireland consisting of His Majesty and two Houses (which shall be called and known as the Parliament of Ireland), ... and the date at which the Parliament of Ireland is established is hereinafter referred to as the date of Irish union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1920/67/pdfs/ukpga_19200067_en.pdf|title=Government of Ireland Act, 1920|year=1920|work=legislation.gov.uk|publisher=The National Archives|access-date=18 April 2017|archive-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424200917/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1920/67/pdfs/ukpga_19200067_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
Sinn Féin did not recognise this act, treating elections to the respective parliaments as a single election to the [[Second Dáil]]. While the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] sat from 1921 to 1972, the [[Parliament of Southern Ireland]] was suspended after its first meeting was boycotted by the Sinn Féin members, who comprised 124 of its 128 MPs. 
A truce in the War of Independence was called in July 1921, followed by negotiations in London between the government of the United Kingdom and a Sinn Féin delegation. On 6 December 1921, they signed the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]], which led to the establishment of the [[Irish Free State]] the following year, a [[dominion]] within the [[British Empire]].

With respect to Northern Ireland, Articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty made special provision for it including as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1922/act/1/enacted/en/print|title=Constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) Act, 1922|date=1922|publisher=[[Attorney General of Ireland|Office of the Attorney General]]|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420141821/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1922/act/1/enacted/en/print|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{quote frame
|11. Until the expiration of one month from the passing of the Act of Parliament for the ratification of this instrument, the powers of the Parliament and the government of the Irish Free State shall not be exercisable as respects Northern Ireland, and the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, shall, so far as they relate to Northern Ireland, remain of full force and effect, and no election shall be held for the return of members to serve in the Parliament of the Irish Free State for constituencies in Northern Ireland, unless a resolution is passed by both Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in favour of the holding of such elections before the end of the said month.

|12. If before the expiration of the said month, an address is presented to His Majesty by both Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland to that effect, the powers of the Parliament and the Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland, and the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, (including those relating to the Council of Ireland) shall so far as they relate to Northern Ireland, continue to be of full force and effect, and this instrument shall have effect subject to the necessary modifications...}}

The [[Prime Minister of Northern Ireland]], [[Sir James Craig]], speaking in the [[House of Commons of Northern Ireland]] in October 1922 said that "when 6 December [1922] is passed the month begins in which we will have to make the choice either to vote out or remain within the Free State". He said it was important that that choice be made as soon as possible after 6 December 1922 "in order that it may not go forth to the world that we had the slightest hesitation".<ref>Northern Ireland Parliamentary Debates, 27 October 1922</ref> On 7 December 1922, the day after the establishment of the Irish Free State, the Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland resolved to make the following address to the King so as to exercise the rights conferred on Northern Ireland under Article 12 of the Treaty:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk/stormontpapers/pageview.html?volumeno=2&pageno=1145#bak-2-1149|title=The Stormont Papers – View Volumes|first=Alastair|last=Dunning|date=1 October 2006|website=stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk|access-date=16 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319082024/http://stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk/stormontpapers/pageview.html?volumeno=2&pageno=1145#bak-2-1149|archive-date=19 March 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{quote frame
|MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Senators and Commons of Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, having learnt of the passing of the Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922, being the Act of Parliament for the ratification of the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland, do, by this humble Address, pray your Majesty that the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland.}}

The King received it the following day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/|title=The Times & The Sunday Times|access-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010221613/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> These steps cemented Northern Ireland's legal separation from the Irish Free State.

In [[Irish republican legitimism|Irish republican legitimist]] theory, the Treaty was illegitimate and could not be approved. According to this theory, the Second Dáil did not dissolve and members of the Republican Government remained as the legitimate government of the Irish Republic declared in 1919. Adherents to this theory rejected the legitimacy of both the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland.

The report of [[Irish Boundary Commission|Boundary Commission]] in 1925 established under the Treaty did not lead to any alteration in the [[Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border|border]].

Within Northern Ireland, the [[Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland)|Nationalist Party]] was an organisational successor to the [[Irish Home Rule movement|Home Rule Movement]], and advocated the end of partition. It had a continuous presence in the Northern Ireland Parliament from 1921 to 1972, but was in permanent opposition to the UUP government.

A new [[Constitution of Ireland]] was proposed by [[Éamon de Valera]] in 1937 and approved by the voters of the [[Irish Free State]] (thereafter simply Ireland). [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland|Articles 2 and 3]] of this Constitution claimed the whole island of Ireland as the national territory, while claiming legal jurisdiction only over the previous territory of the Irish Free State.
{{quote frame
|'''Article 2'''
The national territory consists of the whole island of Ireland, its islands and the territorial seas.

'''Article 3'''
Pending the re-integration of the national territory, and without prejudice to the right of the parliament and government established by this constitution to exercise jurisdiction over the whole territory, the laws enacted by the parliament shall have the like area and extent of application as the laws of Saorstát Éireann and the like extra-territorial effect.}}

Article 15.2 allowed for the "creation or recognition of subordinate legislatures and for the powers and functions of these legislatures", which would have allowed for the continuation of the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] within a unitary Irish state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-the-taoiseach/?referrer=/upload/static/256.htm/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516102833/http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/upload/static/256.htm|url-status=dead|title=Gov.ie|archive-date=16 May 2010|website=www.gov.ie|access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref>

In 1946, former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Winston Churchill]] told the [[List of Ambassadors of Ireland to the United Kingdom|Irish High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]], "I said a few words in Parliament the other day about your country because I still hope for a United Ireland. You must get those fellows in the north in, though; you can't do it by force. There is not, and never was, any bitterness in my heart towards your country." He later said, "You know I have had many invitations to visit Ulster but I have refused them all. I don't want to go there at all, I would much rather go to southern Ireland. Maybe I'll buy another horse with an entry in the Irish Derby."<ref name="Irish Times 2014-11-17">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Stephen |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/winston-churchill-spoke-of-his-hopes-for-a-united-ireland-1.2002997 |title=Winston Churchill spoke of his hopes for a united Ireland |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-date=3 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103021612/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/winston-churchill-spoke-of-his-hopes-for-a-united-ireland-1.2002997 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Under the [[Republic of Ireland Act 1948]], Ireland declared that the country may officially be described as the Republic of Ireland and that the [[President of Ireland]] had the executive authority of the state in its external relations. This was treated by the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] as ending Irish membership. In response, the United Kingdom passed the [[Ireland Act 1949]]. Section 1(2) of this act affirmed the provision in the Treaty that the position of Ireland remained a matter for the Parliament of Northern Ireland:
{{quote frame
|It is hereby declared that Northern Ireland remains part of His Majesty's dominions and of the United Kingdom and it is hereby affirmed that in no event will Northern Ireland or any part thereof cease to be part of His Majesty's dominions and of the United Kingdom without the consent of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.}}

The political organization [[Irish Anti-Partition League]] (APL) existed in Northern Ireland from 1945-1958. One of its founding members was the political leader from Derry, [[Cahir Healy]]. In 1958 Healy wrote about the decline of the APL and the economic conditions which helped keep partition in place: {{Blockquote
|text="...so far as we in the six counties are concerned, we lived in a united Ireland prior to 1916, now we live in a divided one. The insistence upon a Republic or nothing but has left us with partition. There is, indeed, no material lure to northern nationalists to go into a Republic...we get so many subsidies paid indirectly by England, in order to make partition work, that many who used to help the Anti-Partition League now look upon the prospect with different eyes...Partition will go in time but the fear is that when the time comes that attraction will only be a sentimental one."}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Staunton |first=Enda |date=2001 |title=The Nationalists of Northern Ireland 1918-1973 |url= |location=Dublin |publisher=The Columba Press |page=219 |isbn=1 85607 328 9 |access-date=}}</ref> 
   
In 1956 Irelands [[Taoiseach]] (or Prime Minister) [[John A. Costello]] tasked the Department of External Affairs with preparing a document that summarized Irish policy on partition. The document advocated for efforts to win over moderate Unionists in Northern Ireland but stated bluntly that "We are no nearer to success than in 1923."<ref>Staunton, p. 214.</ref>

Between 1956 and 1962, the IRA engaged in a [[Border Campaign (Irish Republican Army)|border campaign]] against [[British Army]] and [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] outposts with the aim of ending British rule in Northern Ireland. This coincided with brief electoral success of Sinn Féin, which won four seats at the [[1957 Irish general election]]. This was its first electoral success since 1927, and it did not win seats in the Republic of Ireland again until 1997. The border campaign was entirely unsuccessful in its aims. In 1957, [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Harold Macmillan]] wrote that "I do not think that a United Ireland - with de Valera as a kind of Irish [[Nehru]] would do us much good. Let us stand by our friends."<ref>'De Valera Rule, 1932-75', pg. 361 by David McCullagh, Gill Books 2018</ref>

===Calls for unification, start of the Troubles===
{{See also|The Troubles|Northern Ireland peace process}}
The [[Northern Ireland civil rights movement]] emerged in 1967 to campaign for [[civil rights]] for [[Irish Catholic|Catholics]] in Northern Ireland. Tensions between [[Irish republicanism|republican]] and [[Ulster loyalism|loyalist]] groups in the north erupted into outright violence in the late 1960s. In 1968 the Irish Taoiseach, [[Jack Lynch]], raised the issue of partition in London: "It has been the aim of my government and its predecessors to promote the reunification of Ireland by fostering a spirit of brotherhood among all sections of the Irish people. The clashes in the streets of Derry are an expression of the evils which partition has brought in its train." He later stated to the press that the ending of partition would be "a just and inevitable solution to the problems of Northern Ireland."<ref>Mansbach, Richard (1973), ''Northern Ireland: Half a Century of Partition'', Facts on File, Inc, New York, pg 35, ISBN 0-87196-182-2</ref>

Lynch renewed his call to end partition in August 1969 when he proposed negotiations with [[United Kingdom|Britain]] with the hope of merging the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland into a federal type state. Lynch proposed that the two parliaments continue to function with a Council of Ireland having authority over the entire country. The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland [[James Chichester-Clark]] rejected the proposal.<ref>Mansbach, pgs 62-63</ref> In August 1971 Lynch proposed that the [[Government of Northern Ireland]] (Stormont) be replaced with an administration that would share power with Catholics. The next day the Northern Prime Minister [[Brian Faulkner]] rejected Lynch's statement and stated that "no further attempt by us to deal constructively with the present Dublin government is possible."<ref>Mansbach, pg 109</ref> Later in 1971 British Labour Party leader (and future Prime Minister) [[Harold Wilson]] proposed a plan that would lead to a united Ireland after a 15-year transitional period. He called for the establishment of a commission that would examine the possibility of creating a united Ireland which would be agreed upon by all three parliaments. The northern Prime Minister rejected the proposal and reiterated the desire that Northern Ireland remain an integral part of the United Kingdom. The Irish Taoiseach indicated the possibility of amending the Irish constitution to accommodate the Protestants of Northern Ireland and urged the British government to "declare its interest in encouraging the unity of Ireland".<ref>Mansbach, pgs 138-139</ref>

In 1969 the British government deployed troops in what would become the longest continuous deployment in British military history [[Operation Banner]]. The [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) had begun a thirty-year campaign against British security forces with the aim of winning a united Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Melaugh|first1=Martin|last2=Lynn|first2=Brendan|last3=McKenna|first3=Fionnuala|title=Abstracts on Organisations - 'I'|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/iorgan.htm|website=[[Conflict Archive on the Internet]] (CAIN)|access-date=10 April 2017|quote=The central aim of the IRA was to end British control of Northern Ireland and to achieve the reunification of the island of Ireland.|archive-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206173709/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/iorgan.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1970, the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party]] (SDLP) was established to campaign for civil rights and a united Ireland by peaceful, constitutional means. The party rose to be the dominant party representing the nationalist community until the early twenty-first century.

In 1972, the parliament of Northern Ireland was [[Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972|suspended]], and under the [[Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973]], it was formally abolished. Section 1 of the 1973 Act stated, 
{{quote frame
|It is hereby declared that Northern Ireland remains part of Her Majesty's dominions and of the United Kingdom, and it is hereby affirmed that in no event will Northern Ireland or any part of it cease to be part of Her Majesty's dominions and of the United Kingdom without the consent of the majority of the people of Northern Ireland voting in a poll held for the purposes of this section in accordance with Schedule 1 to this Act.}}

A [[Northern Ireland border poll 1973|border poll was held in Northern Ireland in 1973]]. The SDLP and Sinn Féin called for a boycott of the poll. 98.9% of votes cast supported remaining part of the United Kingdom.<ref>[https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/ref1973.htm Referendum ('Border Poll') (NI) - Thursday 8 March 1973] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707154009/https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/ref1973.htm |date=7 July 2020 }}, CAIN Web Service. Retrieved 3 May 2020.</ref> The poll was overwhelmingly boycotted by nationalists, and the turnout was therefore 58.7%. The pro-UK vote did however represent 57.5% of the entire electorate, notwithstanding the boycott.<ref>{{cite web |title=CAIN Web Service |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/ref1973.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514183112/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/ref1973.htm |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=17 February 2008 |work=Referendum ('Border Poll') (NI) – Thursday 8 March 1973}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=9 March 1973 |title=BBC On This Day |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/9/newsid_2516000/2516477.stm |url-status=live |access-date=17 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227020253/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/9/newsid_2516000/2516477.stm |archive-date=27 December 2017}}</ref>

In 1983, the Irish government led by Taoiseach [[Garret FitzGerald]] established the [[New Ireland Forum]] as a consultation on a new Ireland. Though all parties in Ireland were invited, the only ones to attend were [[Fine Gael]], [[Fianna Fáil]], the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] and the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party|SDLP]]. Its report considered three options: a unitary state, i.e., a united Ireland; a federal/confederal state; and joint sovereignty. These options were rejected by Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]]. In 1985, the governments of Ireland and of the United Kingdom signed the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]]; the British government accepted an advisory role for the Irish government in the future of Northern Ireland. Article 1 of the Agreement stated that the future constitutional position of Northern Ireland would be a matter for the people of Northern Ireland:{{quote frame
|The two Governments
(a) affirm that any change in the status of Northern Ireland would only come about with the consent of a majority of' the people of' Northern Ireland;
(b) recognise that the present wish of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland is for no change in the status of Northern Ireland;
(c) declare that, if in the future a majority of the people of Northern Ireland clearly wish for and formally consent to the establishment of a united Ireland, they will introduce and support in the respective Parliaments legislation to give effect to that wish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/aia/aiadoc.htm|title=Anglo-Irish Agreement|date=15 November 1985|publisher=CAIN|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501234124/http://www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/aia/aiadoc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

In the [[Downing Street Declaration]], Taoiseach [[Albert Reynolds]] and Prime Minister [[John Major]] issued a joint statement, in which Major, "reiterated on behalf of the British Government, that they have no selfish strategic or economic interest in Northern Ireland".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/ourrolesandpolicies/northernireland/peace-process--joint-declaration-1993-1.pdf|title=Anglo-Irish Agreement|date=15 December 1993|publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=14 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814131028/https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/ourrolesandpolicies/northernireland/peace-process--joint-declaration-1993-1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Good Friday Agreement===
[[File:Troubled Images Exhibition, Belfast, August 2010 (42).JPG|thumb|169x169px|"Vote Yes, It's the way Ahead", Yes Campaign for the Belfast Agreement, 1998]]
The [[Good Friday Agreement]] in 1998 was a culmination of the [[Northern Ireland peace process|peace process]]. The agreement acknowledged nationalism and unionism as "equally legitimate, political aspirations".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136652/agreement.pdf|title=Agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations|date=10 April 1998|publisher=Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324133714/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136652/agreement.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], all members would designate as Unionist, Nationalist, or Other, and certain measures would require cross-community support. The agreement was signed by the governments of Ireland and of the United Kingdom. In Northern Ireland, it was supported by all parties who were in the [[Northern Ireland Forum]] with the exception of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] and the [[UK Unionist Party]], and it was supported by all parties in the [[Oireachtas]]. It was also opposed by [[dissident republicans]], including [[Republican Sinn Féin]] and the [[32 County Sovereignty Movement]]. It was approved in referendums [[1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum|in Northern Ireland]] and in [[Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|the Republic of Ireland]].

Included in the Agreement were provisions which became part of the [[Northern Ireland Act 1998]] on the form of a future referendum on a united Ireland. In essence the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement provided the opportunity for self determination and mutual respect. Those born in Northern Ireland could identify as Irish. The freedom of movement, allowed citizens of either jurisdiction to live in which ever part of the island they wanted, thereby enabling them to choose which state they paid taxes to or claimed benefits from. The 'Two state' solution advocated for conflict resolution in other jurisdictions therefore applied. Provision within the Agreement allows for a simple majority to vote in favour of Irish Unification, but does not explain how the dissolution of the two states solution would lead to the inclusion of the unionist population into a unified Ireland in which they would constitute 13% of the population. A fear of political, civil and economic turmoil and a lack of protection for minority rights, as experienced by the Catholic community in Northern Ireland and the Protestant community in the Republic of Ireland historically, is a key driver towards the desire for the maintenance of the status quo on both sides of the border. 
{{quote frame
|'''Section 1. Status of Northern Ireland.'''
#It is hereby declared that Northern Ireland in its entirety remains part of the United Kingdom and shall not cease to be so without the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland voting in a poll held for the purposes of this section in accordance with Schedule 1.
#But if the wish expressed by a majority in such a poll is that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland, the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland|Secretary of State]] shall lay before Parliament such proposals to give effect to that wish as may be agreed between Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Government of Ireland.
[...]

'''Schedule 1'''
#The Secretary of State may by order direct the holding of a poll for the purposes of section 1 on a date specified in the order.
#Subject to paragraph 3, the Secretary of State shall exercise the power under paragraph 1 if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland.
#The Secretary of State shall not make an order under paragraph 1 earlier than seven years after the holding of a previous poll under this Schedule.<ref name=1998Act/>}}

On the establishment of the institutions in 1999, [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland]] were amended to read:
{{quote frame
|'''Article 2'''

It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage.

'''Article 3'''
#It is the firm will of the Irish nation, in harmony and friendship, to unite all the people who share the territory of the island of Ireland, in all the diversity of their identities and traditions, recognising that a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed, in both jurisdictions in the island. Until then, the laws enacted by the Parliament established by this Constitution shall have the like area and extent of application as the laws enacted by the Parliament that existed immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution.
#Institutions with executive powers and functions that are shared between those jurisdictions may be established by their respective responsible authorities for stated purposes and may exercise powers and functions in respect of all or any part of the island.}}

===Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol and elections===
{{further|Brexit and the Irish border|Northern Ireland Protocol}}
[[File:United Kingdom EU referendum 2016 area results (Northern Ireland).svg|thumb|right|169x169px|Voting on the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|Brexit referendum]] in Northern Ireland
{{legend|#0069b5|Leave}}{{legend|#ffc010|Remain}}]]
In a [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|referendum]] in June 2016, England and Wales voted to [[Brexit|leave the European Union]]. The majority of those voting in Northern Ireland and in Scotland, however, voted for the UK to remain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-36614443|title=EU referendum: Northern Ireland votes to Remain, 2016. Module:Community Relations. Variable:IRISH|date=24 June 2016|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 June 2016|archive-date=2 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502101959/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-36614443|url-status=live}}</ref> Of the parties in the Assembly, only the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] (DUP), the [[Traditional Unionist Voice]] (TUV) and [[People Before Profit]] (PBP) had campaigned for a Leave vote. Irish politicians began the discussion regarding possible changes to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCormack |first=Jayne |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-45864218 |title=Brexit, the Irish border and the 'battle for the union' |work=[[BBC]] |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=16 October 2018 |archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016172004/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-45864218 |url-status=live }}</ref> The status and treatment of Northern Ireland and [[Gibraltar]], the only parts under control of the United Kingdom which would have [[external border of the European Union|new land borders with the EU]] following the [[Brexit|UK withdrawal]], became important to the negotiations, along with access to the regional development assistance scheme (and new funding thereof) from the European Union.

[[Sinn Féin]] cited these concerns as the basis for new discussion on a united Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |last=Halpin |first=Padraic |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-ireland-idUSKCN0ZA0NX |title=Sinn Fein calls for Irish unity poll as Brexit fallout begins |work=[[Reuters]] |date=24 June 2016 |access-date=25 June 2016 |archive-date=24 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624165601/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-ireland-idUSKCN0ZA0NX |url-status=live }}</ref> These calls were rejected by the British government and Unionist politicians, with [[Theresa Villiers]] arguing that there was no evidence that opinion in Northern Ireland had shifted towards being in favour of a united Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rowley |first=Tom |date=25 June 2016 |title=United Ireland 'now more likely than ever' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/25/united-ireland-now-more-likely-than-ever/ |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=1 November 2016 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101164939/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/25/united-ireland-now-more-likely-than-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== 2017 Assembly election ====
[[File:2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election.svg|thumb|Result of 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election, shaded in the combined first preference vote share of the largest party in each constituency]]
In the [[2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2017 Assembly election]], the DUP lost ten seats and came just one seat ahead of Sinn Féin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/04/sinn-fein-cuts-dup-lead-one-seat-stormont-assembly-nationalists/|date=2017-03-04|access-date=2017-03-15|title=Sinn Fein cuts DUP lead to one seat in Stormont Assembly as nationalists surge in Northern Ireland|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202152638/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/04/sinn-fein-cuts-dup-lead-one-seat-stormont-assembly-nationalists/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinn Féin used this opportunity to call for a Northern Ireland referendum on a united Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/sinn-fein-leader-urges-northern-ireland-referendum-on-uk-exit/a-37922493|title=Sinn Fein leader urges Northern Ireland referendum on UK exit|access-date=2017-03-15|website=Deutsche Welle|date=2017-03-13|archive-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316031527/http://www.dw.com/en/sinn-fein-leader-urges-northern-ireland-referendum-on-uk-exit/a-37922493|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/we-didnt-spend-30-years-stopping-ira-to-allow-pm-and-eu-to-give-united-ireland-by-back-door-says-labour-mp-kate-hoey-37628958.html|title='We didn't spend 30 years stopping IRA to allow PM and EU to give united Ireland by back door' says Labour MP|author=Kate Hoey|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215170406/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/we-didnt-spend-30-years-stopping-ira-to-allow-pm-and-eu-to-give-united-ireland-by-back-door-says-labour-mp-kate-hoey-37628958.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Theoretical return to EU confirmed in a United Ireland ====
The [[Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union|Brexit Secretary]], [[David Davis (British politician)|David Davis]], confirmed to [[Mark Durkan]], the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party|SDLP]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]], that in the event of Northern Ireland becoming part of a united Ireland, "Northern Ireland would be in a position of becoming part of an existing EU member state, rather than seeking to join the EU as a new independent state."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/david-davis-united-ireland-letter-shows-northern-ireland-has-automatic-route-back-to-eu-sdlp-chief-eastwood-35572252.html|title=David Davis united Ireland letter shows Northern Ireland has automatic route back to EU: SDLP chief Eastwood|access-date=2017-04-29|publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]]|date=2018-03-28|archive-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506002337/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/david-davis-united-ireland-letter-shows-northern-ireland-has-automatic-route-back-to-eu-sdlp-chief-eastwood-35572252.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Enda Kenny pointed to the provisions that allowed [[East Germany]] to join the [[West Germany|West]] and the EEC during the [[reunification of Germany]] as a precedent.<ref name=EndaKenny>{{cite news|last1=Boffey|first1=Daniel|title=Irish leader calls for united Ireland provision in Brexit deal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/23/irish-leader-enda-kenny-calls-for-united-ireland-provision-in-brexit-deal|access-date=12 April 2017|work=The Guardian|date=23 February 2017|archive-date=9 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409200458/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/23/irish-leader-enda-kenny-calls-for-united-ireland-provision-in-brexit-deal|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2017 the [[European Council]] acknowledged that, in the event of Irish unification, "the entire territory of such a united Ireland would [...] be part of the European Union."<ref>{{cite web |title=Europe could allow a united Ireland to join EU after Brexit |date=28 April 2017 |first=Jennifer |last=Rankin |access-date=29 April 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/27/eu-to-debate-recognising-united-ireland-to-allow-swift-return-for-north |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812075200/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/27/eu-to-debate-recognising-united-ireland-to-allow-swift-return-for-north |url-status=live }}</ref> The SDLP manifesto for the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 UK general election]] called for a referendum on a united Ireland after the UK withdraws from the EU.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0530/879005-border-poll/|title=SDLP's Eastwood calls for united Ireland referendum|publisher=[[RTÉ]]|date=30 May 2017|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615013227/https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0530/879005-border-poll/|url-status=live}}</ref> However the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the time, [[James Brokenshire]], said the conditions for a vote are "not remotely satisfied".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/generalelection/2017/05/30/news/nationalist-and-republican-voters-do-not-necessarily-want-a-united-ireland-james-brokenshire-1040159/|title=Nationalist and republican voters do not necessarily want a united Ireland: James Brokenshire|date=30 May 2017|website=The Irish News|language=en|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-date=30 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530172531/http://www.irishnews.com/news/generalelection/2017/05/30/news/nationalist-and-republican-voters-do-not-necessarily-want-a-united-ireland-james-brokenshire-1040159/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2017 general election ====
After the 2017 election, the UK government was reliant on [[confidence and supply]] from the [[Democratic Unionist Party]]. The deal [[Conservative–DUP agreement|supported the Conservative led government]] through the Brexit negotiation process.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-44397110|title=Q&A: A guide to the DUP-Tory deal one year on|publisher=[[BBC News]]|first=Jayne|last=McCormack|date=26 June 2018|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629093814/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-44397110.amp|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2020 [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]] included the [[Northern Ireland Protocol]], which established different trade rules for the territory than Great Britain. While Northern Ireland would ''de jure'' leave the single market, it would still enforce all EU customs rules, while Britain would diverge. This would result in a regulatory "border in the Irish Sea" rather than a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and caused fears from unionist politicians about Brexit causing a weakening of the UK.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-53724381|title=Brexit: What is the Northern Ireland protocol and why is it needed?|work=BBC News |date=8 September 2020|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914192918/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-53724381|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Johnson met with Macron for Brexit issue.jpg|thumb|Johnson and Macron meet during Brexit negotiations, 2019.|185x185px]]

==== Brexit negotiations continue ====
The new UK prime minister [[Boris Johnson]] continued to claim no trade border would take form as late as August 2020, despite having [[Brexit withdrawal agreement#Revisions in 2019|negotiated its creation]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/brexit/irish-sea-trade-border-over-my-dead-body-says-johnson-39447768.html|title=Irish Sea trade border 'over my dead body', says Johnson|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615012350/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/brexit/irish-sea-trade-border-over-my-dead-body-says-johnson-39447768.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dominic Cummings]] later claimed that Johnson did not understand the deal at the time it was signed, while [[Ian Paisley Jr]] claimed that Johnson had privately promised to "tear up" the deal after it was agreed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-tear-up-protocol-b1938273.html|title = Boris Johnson promised to 'tear up' protocol, claims Ian Paisley|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 14 October 2021}}</ref> In September, Johnson sought to [[United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020|unilaterally dis-apply]] parts of the Northern Ireland protocol, despite acknowledging that this broke international law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54073836|title=Minister: New bill will 'break international law'|work=BBC News|date=8 September 2020|access-date=17 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917164632/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54073836|url-status=live}}</ref> The bill was rejected by the [[House of Lords]], resulting in several provisions being withdrawn before it passed in December 2020- shortly before the protocol was due to come into effect.

The implementation of the protocol, and the new regulatory hurdles had a negative effect on east–west trade, and drew strong condemnation from unionist figures, including DUP members such as First Minister [[Arlene Foster]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57182879|title=Brexit: Arlene Foster argues NI Protocol 'narrows common ground'|work=BBC News|date=20 May 2021|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613230642/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57182879|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-55575988|title=Brexit: Why are the shelves empty in some supermarkets?|work=BBC News|date=7 January 2021|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613232150/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-55575988|url-status=live}}</ref>  Staff making the required checks were threatened, resulting in a temporary suspension of checks at Larne and Belfast ports.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-55895276|title=Brexit: Animal-based food checks at ports suspended|work=BBC News|date=2 February 2021|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624222408/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-55895276|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2021, several unionist parties began a legal challenge, alleging that the protocol violated the [[Act of Union 1800]], the bill which had originally merged Ireland with the United Kingdom, as well as the Good Friday Agreement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56148441|title=Brexit: Unionist parties to join NI Protocol legal challenge|work=BBC News|date=21 February 2021|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613230621/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56148441|url-status=live}}</ref> The challenge was dismissed in June, with the court deciding that the protocol- and other legislation in the intervening 200 years- had effectively repealed parts of the Act of Union.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/30/belfast-court-dismisses-legal-challenge-to-brexit-northern-ireland-protocol|title=Belfast court dismisses legal challenge to Brexit Northern Ireland protocol|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=30 June 2021|first=Lisa|last=O'Carroll|access-date=30 June 2021|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630224039/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/30/belfast-court-dismisses-legal-challenge-to-brexit-northern-ireland-protocol|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 March the [[Loyalist Communities Council]] withdrew its support for the peace agreement- while indicating that opposition to it should not be in the form of violence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56276653|title=Loyalist group withdraws support for Good Friday Agreement|work=BBC News|date=4 March 2021|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410105221/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56276653|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2021 Northern Ireland riots|Riots erupted in loyalist areas]] at the end of the month, continuing until 9 April. The protocol's implementation, and opposition within the DUP, resulted in the announcement of Foster's resignation on 28 April.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/28/why-is-the-dup-preparing-to-dump-arlene-foster|title=Why is Arlene Foster stepping down as leader of the DUP?|last=Carroll|first=Rory|date=28 April 2021|website=The Guardian|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=16 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616062313/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/28/why-is-the-dup-preparing-to-dump-arlene-foster|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Irish Times'' interviewed loyalist [[Shankill Road]] residents that month and found significant anger at the DUP, and accusations that the community had been "sold short" on the protocol.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/most-of-the-dup-have-lost-touch-with-the-loyalist-people-1.4551620|title='Most of the DUP have lost touch with the loyalist people'|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Freya|last=McClements|date=30 April 2021|url-access=subscription|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430080217/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/most-of-the-dup-have-lost-touch-with-the-loyalist-people-1.4551620|url-status=live}}</ref> Foster was replaced by [[Paul Givan]] later that year, though he too resigned in February 2022 over the continued existence of the protocol.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/dups-paul-givan-resigns-as-northern-ireland-first-minister-as-taoiseach-brands-it-very-damaging-move-41307670.html|title=DUP's Paul Givan resigns as Northern Ireland first minister, as Taoiseach brands it 'very damaging move'|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|first1=David|last1=Young|first2=Jonathan|last2=McCambridge|first3=Philip|last3=Ryan|date=3 January 2022|access-date=3 January 2022}}</ref>

The UK government sought to re-negotiate the protocol, a prospect poorly received by EU leaders such as [[Emmanuel Macron]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/10/macron-warns-johnson-nothing-is-negotiable-over-northern-ireland-protocol|title=Macron warns Johnson 'nothing is negotiable' over Northern Ireland|last1=Stewart|first1=Heather|last2=Willsher|first2=Kim|last3=Walker|first3=Peter|date=10 June 2021|website=The Guardian|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614045836/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/10/macron-warns-johnson-nothing-is-negotiable-over-northern-ireland-protocol|url-status=live}}</ref> When discussing the effects of the protocol in June 2021, [[Leo Varadkar]] outlined a vision for a united Irish state with devolved representation in the North. He added "It should be part of our mission as a party to work towards it."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57492552|title=No one group can have a veto on Ireland's future - Varadkar|last=Harrison|first=Shane|work=BBC News|date=15 June 2021|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615230657/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57492552|url-status=live}}</ref> Talks aimed at amending the customs checks required by the protocol began in October; though [[Maroš Šefčovič]] indicated that the protocol itself will not be re-negotiated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-58908874|title = Brexit: Šefčovič says EU will not renegotiate NI Protocol|work = BBC News|date = 14 October 2021}}</ref> In December, the UK's chief negotiator [[Lord Frost]] resigned his post over "concerns about the current direction of travel".<ref>{{cite news |title=Brexit minister's shock resignation leaves Boris Johnson reeling | first1=Michael |last1=Savage |first2=Toby |last2=Helm |work=The Guardian |date=18 December 2021 |access-date=19 December 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/18/brexit-ministers-shock-resignation-leaves-boris-johnson-reeling}}</ref>

==== 2022 Assembly election ====
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = 1921 Northern Ireland General Election Results Map.png
| image2            = 2022 Northern Ireland Election Map.svg
| caption1          = [[1921 Northern Ireland general election]] results
| caption2          = [[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election]] results
}}
After the results of the [[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election]], Sinn Féin were set to become the largest party in the assembly for the first time in history, with the DUP coming in second place. Sinn Féin won 27 seats, compared to the DUP's 25. Sinn Féin said that it will be at least a decade-long plan for Irish unity, which would only happen after an island-wide conversation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-07 |title=NI election results 2022: Sinn Féin wins most seats in historic election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61355419 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== 2023–24 and return to Stormont ====
[[File:The Prime Minister welcomes the President of the European Commission (52715344915).jpg|thumb|165x165px|Sunak and Von der Leyen|left]][[File:Michelle O'Neill, November 2023.jpg|thumb|137x137px|Michelle O'Neill in November 2023]]In February 2023, UK Prime Minister [[Rishi Sunak]] and President of the [[European Commission]] [[Ursula von der Leyen]] announced a new agreement called the [[Windsor Framework]] including a green lane for trade between Britain and Northern Ireland and a red lane for Republic of Ireland and EU trade.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-27 |title=Northern Ireland Brexit deal: At-a-glance |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64790193 |access-date=2024-02-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Sinn Féin called for a restoration of devolved governance following the deal whilst the DUP continued their boycott.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-01 |title=Stormont: We need government and we need it now - Sinn Féin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-64808694 |access-date=2024-02-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 31 January 2024, a deal between the DUP and the UK government led to the abolition of "routine" checks on goods from Britain sent to Northern Ireland with the intention of staying there. A new body, Intertrade UK will be formed to promote trade within the UK, modelled on the all Ireland body, [[InterTradeIreland]]. The deal also includes UK government ministers being compelled to inform Parliament if a Bill they are introducing will have "significant adverse implications for Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market". On the basis of the deal, the DUP decided to return to devolved governance in Stormont.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-31 |title=DUP deal: What exactly is in the Safeguarding the Union paper? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68157167 |access-date=2024-02-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 3 February, [[Michelle O'Neill]] made history by becoming the first-ever Irish nationalist First Minister.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-02-03 |title=Stormont: Michelle O'Neill makes history as nationalist first minister |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-68180505 |access-date=2024-02-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> After taking office as First Minister, O'Neill stated that she expected a referendum on the reunification to be held within the next decade, which would be in accordance with the 1998 [[Good Friday Agreement]] signed by the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-04 |title=N.Irish leader O'Neill predicts Irish unity vote within decade |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20240204-n-irish-leader-o-neill-predicts-irish-unity-vote-within-decade |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=RFI |language=en}}</ref>

==Shared Island==
In 2021, the [[Irish Government]] launched the "Shared Island" initiative, to fund projects enhancing cross-border cooperation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.ie/sharedisland/ | title=Shared Island | date=6 October 2021 }}</ref> In February 2024, it was announced that a total of €1 billion of funding from the Irish government was committed for:

* €600m towards the [[A5 road (Northern Ireland)|A5 road]]
* Construction of [[Narrow Water bridge|Narrow Water Bridge]] between the [[Mourne Mountains]] and the [[Cooley Peninsula]]
* New hourly rail service between Belfast and Dublin
* €50m towards [[Casement Park]]
* €10m towards a visitor experience at the [[Battle of the Boyne|Battle of the Boyne site]]
* Cross-border women's entrepreneurship<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shared Island initiative: Casement Park and A5 upgrade among projects in line for €1bn State funding |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/20/shared-island-initiative-casement-park-and-a5-upgrade-among-projects-in-line-for1bn-state-funding/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>

The Narrow Water bridge, linking [[Omeath]] to [[Warrenpoint]], began construction in June 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Narrow Water Bridge will be 'symbol of hope', minister says |date=4 June 2024 |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/narrow-water-bridge-will-be-symbol-of-hope-minister-says-1633443.html}}</ref> During an [[Ireland's Future]] event in the same month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar proposed that the Irish government set up a State fund using current budget surpluses that could then be used in the event of a United Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Reconciliation and reunification should be pursued in parallel, conference told |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/06/16/reconciliation-and-reunification-should-be-pursued-in-parallel-conference-told/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> Also at the event, Michelle O'Neill promised that Casement Park would be built "on my watch".<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Minister Michelle O'Neill commits to build Casement Park during Belfast unification rally - Belfast Live |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/first-minister-michelle-oneill-commits-29361276 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=www.belfastlive.co.uk|date=15 June 2024 }}</ref>

== Potential referendum time and criteria ==

=== Timescale proposals ===
In 2020, Ireland Taoiseach [[Micheál Martin]] said that a referendum on Irish unity should not be held for 5 years, adding, "once Brexit happened, it should not be a catalyst for something like a border poll. I thought that would be too divisive and would only exacerbate the tensions there because of Brexit itself".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-22 |title=No Irish unity referendum for five years because of Brexit |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/no-irish-unity-referendum-for-five-years-brexit/ |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=Politico |language=en}}</ref>

Sinn Féin president [[Mary Lou McDonald]] suggested in 2020 that an "All-Ireland Forum on Unity" be created to plan for all aspects of reunification, including a referendum by 2025, claiming that "Irish Unity is the best idea for the future of the country".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-22 |title=Sinn Féin call for a United Ireland referendum by 2025 ahead of general election |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/sinn-fein-united-ireland-referendum-2025 |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=IrishCentral.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, [[Gerry Adams]] told the Irish Government that it should begin planning for a border poll and that one could happen within three years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Manley |first=John |date=23 August 2021 |title=Gerry Adams urges Dublin to prepare for a united Ireland and says border poll could happen within three years |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2021/08/23/news/gerry-adams-urges-dublin-to-prepare-for-a-united-ireland-and-says-border-poll-could-happen-within-three-years-2424945/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824144504/https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2021/08/23/news/gerry-adams-urges-dublin-to-prepare-for-a-united-ireland-and-says-border-poll-could-happen-within-three-years-2424945/ |archive-date=24 August 2021 |access-date=23 August 2021 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2022, DUP leader [[Jeffrey Donaldson]] has said that Northern Ireland does not need a border poll at all and that it would be divisive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donaldson tells News Letter: I would stay if a united Ireland ever happened – 400 years of our blood is in Ulster's soil |date=8 April 2022 |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/donaldson-tells-news-letter-i-would-stay-if-a-united-ireland-ever-happened-400-years-of-our-blood-is-in-ulsters-soil-3646139}}</ref>

In May 2022, Mary Lou McDonald said that a referendum would be possible within 5 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 May 2022 |title=Irish reunification referendums 'possible in next five years', Sinn Fein leader says |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/20121779.sinn-fein-say-irish-reunification-referendums-possible-next-five-years/ |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> First minister elect, [[Michelle O'Neill|Michelle O’Neill]] launched Sinn Féin's manifesto at the Canal Court Hotel in [[Newry]] in March 2023 which was a 16-page document including a commitment to set a date on a unity referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sinn Fein unveils border poll pledge at local election manifesto launch |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/sinn-fein-unveils-border-poll-pledge-at-local-election-manifesto-launch/1819662746.html |access-date=2023-05-10 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In February 2024, Mary Lou McDonald said that she expected the referendums to occur by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irish unification referendum by 2030, Sinn Fein leader tells Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/irish-unification-referendum-by-2030-sinn-fein-leader-tells-sky-news-13066545 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> Political scientist [[Brendan O'Leary]] also suggested the year 2030 as a potential tipping point.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-16 |title=Ireland's Future rally told more work to do in unionist communities and Republic before 'border poll in 2030' |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/irelands-future-rally-told-more-work-to-do-in-unionist-communities-and-republic-before-border-poll-in-2030/a922134654.html |access-date=2024-06-17 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In October 2023, Taoiseach [[Leo Varadkar]] said that it was not currently the right time to hold a referendum because the evidence indicated the referendum would not be won. If a referendum was held, work would need to be done to convince unionists that this was the right path and that a United Ireland would be a "warm home" for them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taoiseach believes Irish unity poll is currently 'not a good idea' as it 'will be defeated' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2023-10-27/taoisheach-varadkar-says-its-not-the-right-time-for-united-ireland-border-poll}}</ref>

The UK government-DUP deal published on 31 January 2024 said there was "no realistic prospect of a border poll". On 4 February, the day after becoming First Minister, [[Michelle O'Neill]] contested this, outlining her vision of a "decade of opportunity"; in other words, a border poll could be held in 10 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland's new first minister Michelle O'Neill 'contests' claim Irish unity is 'decades' away |url=https://news.sky.com/story/northern-irelands-new-first-minister-michelle-oneill-contests-claim-irish-unity-is-decades-away-13063691 |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Criteria ===
In May 2022, [[Tánaiste]] Leo Varadkar said the criteria for a referendum had not yet been met and also called for clarity on the mechanism for a border poll. Michelle O'Neill also called for clarity on the criteria for a referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-18 |title=Michelle O'Neill calls for clarity on criteria for calling Irish unity poll |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/michelle-oneill-calls-for-clarity-on-criteria-for-calling-irish-unity-poll/41663101.html |access-date=2023-06-10 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In September 2022, Northern Ireland shadow secretary [[Peter Kyle]] (of the Labour Party) said that he would set out border poll criteria.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-25 |title=Labour would set out border poll criteria - Peter Kyle |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63024056 |access-date=2023-06-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In the May [[2023 Northern Ireland local elections]], the three largest unionist parties received over 38 per cent of the vote and the parties in favour of a united Ireland received 41 per cent of the vote. [[Jeffrey Donaldson]] suggested that the criteria for a border poll had not been met because unionists had more seats. This however is only true when excluding pro-Irish unity independents and People Before Profit. When asked about the criteria, Northern Ireland secretary [[Chris Heaton-Harris]] said that those interested “need to read the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, it’ll give you a good clue”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McAleer |first=Ryan |date=2023-05-23 |title=Heaton-Harris ducks question on criteria for border poll |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/05/23/news/heaton-harris_ducks_question_on_criteria_for_border_poll-3299085/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref> In October 2023, Heaton-Harris added that there was no basis to suggest a majority in Northern Ireland currently supported a United Ireland and that the UK government supported all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, including the use of a simple majority of >50% in the event of a referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-25 |title=No shift on border poll policy - NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-67215103 |access-date=2023-11-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In June 2023, UUP leader [[Doug Beattie]] also suggested that the criteria has not been met for a border poll. He added that restoration of the executive would halt a swing in support of Sinn Féin and a United Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doug Beattie: A fully functioning Stormont will stop the swing to Sinn Féin dead in its tracks |date=7 June 2023 |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/doug-beattie-a-fully-functioning-stormont-will-stop-the-swing-to-sinn-fein-in-its-tracks-4172293}}</ref> Ian Paisley Jr. suggested that support to unify Ireland is not adequate and that should a vote come about, a [[supermajority]] and a turnout quota should be required for a border poll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ian Paisley: We are nowhere near the risk of a border poll - but if one ever happened there should be a turnout quota and supermajority |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/ian-paisley-we-are-nowhere-near-the-risk-of-a-border-poll-but-if-one-ever-happened-there-should-be-a-turnout-quota-and-supermajority-4161760 |website=News Letter |publication-date=29 May 2023}}</ref> John Major has also called upon the UK government  to "spell out" the criteria for a border poll.<ref>{{cite news |last=Paul |first=Mark |date=25 May 2023 |title=John Major: terms for UK calling Border poll in North should be spelled out |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/05/25/john-major-terms-for-uk-calling-border-poll-in-north-should-be-spelled-out/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 June 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2025, Northern Ireland Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland [[Fleur Anderson]] said that the criteria for a border poll "would be based on opinion polls".<ref>{{Cite web |title= Fleur Anderson MP: Calling border poll 'would be based on opinion polls' |url=https://www.agendani.com/fleur-anderson-mp-calling-border-poll-would-be-based-on-opinion-polls/ |website=agendaNi |date=14 April 2025}}</ref> However, the [[Northern Ireland Office]] subsequently backtracked from this claim, saying "responsibility for a referendum rests solely with the Secretary of State".<ref>{{cite web |title= Opinion poll will decide when there's referendum on Irish unity: NIO minister |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/opinion-poll-will-decide-when-theres-referendum-on-irish-unity-nio-minister/a1121720396.html |website=Belfast Telegraph |date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

==Political positions on a united Ireland==

=== Parties of Ireland ===
{{Provinces of Ireland}}
Within the Northern Ireland Assembly, MLAs designate as Unionist, Nationalist or Other. The DUP (25 seats), the UUP (9 seats), the TUV (1 seat) and [[Independent politician|Independent]] MLA [[Claire Sugden]] are designated as Unionist; Sinn Féin (which won 27 seats in the [[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election]]) and the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party|SDLP]] (8 seats) are designated as Nationalist; the [[Alliance Party of Northern Ireland|Alliance Party]] (17 seats) and PBP (1 seat) are designated as Other.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 July 2021|title=Sinn Féin takes pole position in Northern Ireland Assembly|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sinn-fein-becomes-largest-party-in-northern-ireland-assembly-brexit/|last=Pogatchnik|first=Shawn|access-date=23 August 2021|website=[[Politico]]|language=en-US|archive-date=23 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823170927/https://www.politico.eu/article/sinn-fein-becomes-largest-party-in-northern-ireland-assembly-brexit/|url-status=live}}</ref> However People Before Profit are in favour of Irish Unity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kieran Allen Speech On Irish Unity – People Before Profit |date=26 June 2017 |url=https://www.pbp.ie/kieran-allen-speech-on-irish-unity/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AE2022 – People Before Profit |url=https://www.pbp.ie/ae2022/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513164732/https://www.pbp.ie/ae2022/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Within the Oireachtas, there has traditionally been broad support for a united Ireland, with differences over the twentieth century on how it would be achieved. This includes Sinn Féin, which has had seats in the Dáil since 1997. The initial party constitution of [[Fianna Fáil]] in 1926 under [[Éamon de Valera]] included as the first of its aims, "To secure the Unity and Independence of Ireland as a Republic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irishelectionliterature.com/2013/07/26/fianna-fail-1926-1947-booklet-commemorating-21-years-of-fianna-fail/|title="Fianna Fail 1926 – 1947" -Booklet commemorating 21 years of Fianna Fail|access-date=23 April 2017|website=Irish Election Literature|date=26 July 2013|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424174218/https://irishelectionliterature.com/2013/07/26/fianna-fail-1926-1947-booklet-commemorating-21-years-of-fianna-fail/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1937, de Valera proposed the Constitution of Ireland which laid claim to the whole island of Ireland. In the 1980s, led by [[Charles Haughey]], the party opposed the consideration of options other than a unitary state in the [[New Ireland Forum]] Report and opposed the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]]; this stance led in part to the [[Desmond O'Malley|Des O'Malley]] and [[Mary Harney]] leaving Fianna Fáil and establishing the [[Progressive Democrats]], a party that lasted from 1985 to 2008. Fianna Fáil leaders [[Albert Reynolds]] and [[Bertie Ahern]] led Irish governments in favour of the [[Downing Street Declaration]] and the [[Good Friday Agreement]] respectively.

When formed in 1933, [[Fine Gael]] initially used the subtitle ''United Ireland''. Fine Gael leader [[Garret FitzGerald]] convened the New Ireland Forum in 1983 and negotiated the Anglo-Irish Agreement. In the aftermath of the vote on Brexit, [[Enda Kenny]] sought assurances on the position of Northern Ireland in the case of a united Ireland.<ref name=EndaKenny/> The [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Irish Labour Party]] has adopted a similar approach to Fine Gael in government to a united Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/brexit/northern-ireland-rejects-hard-border-and-62-say-united-ireland-more-likely-after-brexit-37521930.html|title=Northern Ireland rejects hard border - and 62% say united Ireland more likely after Brexit|author=Victoria Leonard|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=13 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113092748/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/brexit/northern-ireland-rejects-hard-border-and-62-say-united-ireland-more-likely-after-brexit-37521930.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Minor parties ====
In a survey of [[Teachta Dála|TDs]] conducted by ''[[TheJournal.ie]]'' on support for a border poll and a united Ireland conducted in December 2016, only TDs from the Anti-Austerity Alliance (now [[Solidarity (Ireland)|Solidarity]]) stated they were opposed to a united Ireland at the present moment.<ref name="TheJournal.ie">{{citation|title=We asked every TD if they want a vote on a united Ireland, here's what they said|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/united-ireland-border-poll-3136932-Dec2016/|access-date=14 April 2017|work=TheJournal.ie|date=16 December 2016|archive-date=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501053506/http://www.thejournal.ie/united-ireland-border-poll-3136932-Dec2016/|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are a number of minor nationalist parties, including the [[Irish Republican Socialist Party]], which supports a united socialist Irish state and is affiliated with the [[Irish National Liberation Army]]. Another such party, [[Republican Sinn Féin]], linked to the [[Continuity IRA]], maintain the [[Irish republican legitimism|Irish republican legitimist]] theory that neither state in Ireland is legitimate. Its ''[[Éire Nua]]'' (in English, ''New Ireland'') policy advocates a unified [[Federation|federal]] state with regional governments for the four [[Provinces of Ireland|provinces]] and the national capital in [[Athlone]]. None of these parties has significant electoral support.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2019 |title=Poll claims Fermanagh people don't want united Ireland |url=https://fermanaghherald.com/2019/03/poll-claims-fermanagh-people-dont-want-united-ireland/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325030706/https://fermanaghherald.com/2019/03/poll-claims-fermanagh-people-dont-want-united-ireland/ |archive-date=25 March 2019 |access-date=27 July 2019 |website=The Fermanagh Herald}}</ref>

=== British parties ===
Of the British parties, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] is explicitly unionist; it has formally been called the ''Conservative and Unionist Party'' since a merger with the [[Liberal Unionist Party]] in 1912. The UUP was affiliated with the [[National Conservative Convention|National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations]] until 1985. The [[Northern Ireland Conservatives]] are a minor unionist party in Northern Ireland.

Historically, there has been support for a united Ireland within the left of the [[Labour Party (UK)|British Labour Party]], and in the 1980s it became official policy to support a united Ireland by consent.<ref>{{cite web|title=The New Hope For Britain |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/man/lab83.htm |publisher=[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] |year=1983 |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980525042836/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/man/lab83.htm |archive-date=25 May 1998 }}</ref> The policy of "unity by consent" continued into the 1990s, eventually being replaced by a policy of neutrality in line with the [[Downing Street Declaration]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Britain will be better with new Labour|url=http://www.labour-party.org.uk/manifestos/1997/1997-labour-manifesto.shtml|publisher=[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]|year=1997|access-date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404215421/http://www.labour-party.org.uk/manifestos/1997/1997-labour-manifesto.shtml|archive-date=4 April 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The former Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] supports a united Ireland, although he has said that it is "up for the Irish people to decide" whether to remain part of the UK.<ref>{{cite news|title=Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn defends republicans Troubles meetings|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34370887|access-date=30 January 2016|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=7 September 2015|quote=Asked about his support for a united Ireland, he said: 'It's for the Irish people to decide - my view is historically, yes, and I'm very much on the record about that.'|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115010910/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34370887|url-status=live}}</ref> They do not organise electorally in Northern Ireland, respecting the SDLP as their sister party within the [[Party of European Socialists]]. Similarly, the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] co-operate with the [[Alliance Party of Northern Ireland|Alliance Party]] and share their support of the Good Friday Agreement while expressing reservations about what they perceive as 'institutionalised sectarianism' in the agreement. Former Alliance leader [[John Alderdice, Baron Alderdice|Lord Alderdice]] is a member of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. One supporter of a United Ireland in the Liberal Democrats was [[Michael Meadowcroft]], MP for [[Leeds West]] between 1983 and 1987.<ref>{{cite journal|page=8|journal=Third Way|title=What is your view on constitutional reform?|date=April 1979|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hYBekdR7QL4C&dq=%22united+ireland%22&pg=PA7}}</ref>

== Issues ==
=== Arguments for ===

==== Economic ====
[[Neale Richmond]] of Fine Gael says that unifying Ireland as a unitary state within the EU would benefit the economy across the island. He also argues it would allow the simplification of the systems of healthcare, public transport, education and more.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Why is a united Ireland desirable? 34 speakers to address the issue at Ireland's Future conference |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2022/10/01/why-is-a-united-ireland-desirable-34-speakers-to-address-the-issue-at-irelands-future-conference/ |first1=Ronan |last1=McGreevy |date=Oct 1, 2022 |access-date=2023-10-24 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>

Sinn Féin says that economic powers held in London contribute to Northern Ireland being the slowest growing economy of the British Isles and also negatively impacts the economy of the Republic of Ireland. They cite lower paid and less secure jobs in the North and say that a United Ireland would allow for a more coordinated economic strategy and increasing investment, productivity and improving infrastructure, particularly in the border region. Sinn Féin also suggests that unity will improve public revenue returns, overall output, and higher-skilled employment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 2020 |title=Economic Benefits of a United Ireland |url=https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2020/Economic_Benefits_of_a_United_Ireland.pdf |publisher=Sinn Féin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302101817/https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2020/Economic_Benefits_of_a_United_Ireland.pdf |archive-date= Mar 2, 2024 }}</ref>

==== Cultural ====
[[File:IRFU flag.svg|thumb|158x158px|The Irish rugby flag]]
The [[Ireland national rugby union team|Irish national rugby union team]] has been cited as a unifying force across Ireland and a "gesture of unity".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Macfarlane |first2=George |last2=Ramsay |first1=Christina |date=2019-09-18 |title='The biggest show in town' -- how rugby united a divided Ireland |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/18/sport/ulster-rugby-ireland-rory-best-darren-cave-brexit-spt-intl-gbr/index.html |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-19 |title=Ireland rugby team's grand gesture of unity is hard to match in politics |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/sam-mcbride/ireland-rugby-teams-grand-gesture-of-unity-is-hard-to-match-in-politics/1259866432.html |url-access=subscription |website=Belfast Telegraph |first1=Sam |last1=McBride |access-date=2024-02-06 |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230506201122/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/sam-mcbride/ireland-rugby-teams-grand-gesture-of-unity-is-hard-to-match-in-politics/1259866432.html |archive-date= 6 May 2023 }}</ref> The team has been described as "showing the best what island has to offer" and has sometimes been described as a United Ireland team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coyle |first=Conor |date=2023-10-13 |title=Opinion: Irish rugby team showing the best of what island has to offer |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/opinion-irish-rugby-team-showing-27878899 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Belfast Live |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= https://archive.today/20240617204342/https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/opinion-irish-rugby-team-showing-27878899 |archive-date=17 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rouse |first=Paul |date=2017-02-03 |title=Breaking down the island's walls instead of building them |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport-columnists/arid-20441988.html |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240206170340/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport-columnists/arid-20441988.html |archive-date=2024-02-06 }}</ref>

==== Reconciliation ====
[[Jim O'Callaghan]] of Fianna Fáil suggests that a United Ireland would bring people on the island closer together, reconcile old conflicts and increase the number of opportunities for young people.<ref name=":0" />

=== Arguments against ===

==== Identity ====
Many Unionist Protestants in Northern Ireland argue they have a distinct identity that would be overwhelmed in a united Ireland. They cite the decline of the small Protestant population of the Republic of Ireland since independence from the United Kingdom, the economic cost of unification, their place in a key international player within the UK and their mainly non-Irish ancestry. Unionist people in Northern Ireland primarily find their cultural and ethnic identity from the Scottish and English [[Plantation of Ulster|planters]] (colonists), whose descendants can be found in the three counties of Ulster which are governed by the Republic of Ireland. Such individuals celebrate their Scots heritage each year like their counterparts in the other six counties. While Catholics in general consider themselves to be Irish, Protestants generally see themselves as British, as shown by several studies and surveys performed between 1971 and 2006.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Breen |first1=R. |chapter-url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/research/nisas/rep5c2.htm |via=CAIN |title=Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland: The Fifth Report |last2=Devine |first2=P. |last3=Dowds |first3=L. |date=27 June 1996 |publisher=Appletree Press |isbn=0-86281-593-2 |chapter=2 |access-date=24 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226220013/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/research/nisas/rep5c2.htm |archive-date=26 December 2018 |url-status=live}} Summary: In 1989–1994, 79% Protestants replied "British" or "Ulster", 60% of Catholics replied "Irish".</ref><ref name="NILT 1999 Community Relations NINATID">{{cite web |date=9 May 2003 |title=1999: NINATID |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030908190839/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/NINATID.html |archive-date=8 September 2003 |access-date=14 March 2019 |work=Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive]] |df=dmy-all}} Summary: 72% of Protestants replied "British". 68% of Catholics replied "Irish".</ref><ref name="NILT 1999 Community Relations BRITISH">{{cite web |date=12 May 2003 |title=1999 Survey: How strongly to you feel yourself to be British? |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/BRITISH.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030908192825/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/BRITISH.html |archive-date=8 September 2003 |access-date=14 March 2019 |work=Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive]] |df=dmy-all}} Summary: 78% of Protestants replied "Strongly British".</ref><ref name="NILT 1999 Community Relations IRISH">{{cite web |date=9 May 2003 |title=1999 Survey: How strongly to you feel yourself to be Irish? |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/IRISH.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030908190315/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/IRISH.html |archive-date=8 September 2003 |access-date=14 March 2019 |work=Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive]] |df=dmy-all}} Summary: 77% of Catholics replied "strongly Irish". 41% of Protestants felt "weakly Irish", while 51% answered "not at all Irish".</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 2006 |title=National identities in the UK: do they matter? Briefing No. 16 |url=http://www.san.ed.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/47374/IoG_Briefing_16.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603183038/http://www.san.ed.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/47374/IoG_Briefing_16.pdf |archive-date=3 June 2016 |access-date=3 May 2016 |website=Institute of Governance}} Extract:"Three-quarters of Northern Ireland's Protestants regard themselves as British, but only 12 per cent of Northern Ireland's Catholics do so. Conversely, a majority of Catholics (65%) regard themselves as Irish, whilst very few Protestants (5%) do likewise. Very few Catholics (1%) compared to Protestants (19%) claim an Ulster identity but a Northern Irish identity is shared in broadly equal measure across religious traditions."''Details from attitude surveys are in [[Demographics and politics of Northern Ireland]].''</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A changed Irish nationalism? The significance of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, by Joseph Ruane and Jennifer Todd |url=http://www.ucd.ie/spire/text%20files/todd-achangedirishnationalism.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510015756/http://www.ucd.ie/spire/text+files/todd-achangedirishnationalism.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2007 |access-date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Ucd.ie}}</ref>

Many Protestants do not consider themselves as primarily Irish, as many Irish nationalists do, but rather within the context of an Ulster or British identity. A 1999 survey showed that a little over half of Protestants felt "Not at all Irish", while the rest "felt Irish" in varying degrees.<ref name="NILT 1999 Community Relations IRISH" />

== Constitutional options ==
A report by University College London found four constitutional options for a United Ireland;

* A single central legislature in e.g. Dublin. This model is considered the historic choice for many Irish republicans but may not be seen as favourable by some unionists.
* Maintain the devolved institutions in the North but with sovereignty transferred from London to Dublin.
* A federal state, which might be Northern Ireland and the South, [[Éire Nua|the four historic provinces of Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster]], or some other configuration.
* A confederation of two independent states. UCL suggested this would not meet the terms of unity as clearly (1998 Belfast Good Friday Agreement).<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Carroll |first=Lisa |date=2022-05-08 |title=United Ireland: why is it not on cards despite Sinn Féin success? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/08/united-ireland-how-might-it-happen-and-what-would-it-be-like |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
The 1990 episode of the American [[science fiction]] television series ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', "[[The High Ground (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The High Ground]]", featured a discussion between [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]] and [[Jean-Luc Picard]] which states that Ireland was unified in 2024. As a result, this episode was not originally shown by the [[BBC]] in the United Kingdom due to [[the Troubles]].<ref name="Gallagher">{{cite magazine |last=Gallagher |first=William |date=2011-11-08 |title=German TV lifts ban on "Nazi" Star Trek episode |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2011-11-08/german-tv-lifts-ban-on-nazi-star-trek-episode |access-date=2013-10-14 |magazine=Radio Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930181918/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2011-11-08/german-tv-lifts-ban-on-nazi-star-trek-episode/ |archive-date=2020-09-30}}</ref> It was not broadcast in the [[Republic of Ireland]] by the ''Star Trek'' rights' holder, [[RTÉ]], during the show's run though UK broadcasts were received there. Initial UK airings were edited and shown for the first time on the satellite channel [[Sky One]] on November 29, 1992.<ref>{{cite news |last=Caldwell |first=Johnny |date=2007-04-14 |title=Star Trek predicts a united Ireland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6553307.stm |access-date=2007-04-14 |work=[[BBC News Online]]}}</ref> The episode was finally broadcast unedited, 16 years later, in May 2006 on Sky One and shown unedited on [[BBC Two]] during the third season's repeats after midnight on September 29, 2007.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |last1=Sheils McNamee |first1=Michael |date=March 3, 2024 |title=The 'banned' Star Trek episode that promised a united Ireland |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68342135 |access-date=3 March 2024 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2007-09-29 |title=BBC Two - Star Trek: The Next Generation, Series 3, The High Ground |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0080pcv |access-date=2013-10-14 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Ireland}}

=== Ireland ===
*[[Demographics of Northern Ireland]]
*[[Politics of Northern Ireland]]
*[[Irish nationalism]]
*[[Protestant Irish nationalists]]
*[[Ulster nationalism]]
*[[Opinion polling on a United Ireland]]

=== Other ===
* [[Scottish independence]]
* [[Welsh independence]]
* [[English independence]]
* [[Cornish devolution]]
* [[Separatism in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Reunification of Brittany]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin|40em}}
*Geoffrey Bell, ''Troublesome Business: the Labour Party and the Irish Question''. Pluto Press, London 1982. {{ISBN|0861043731}}
*[[Ronan Fanning]], ''Independent Ireland''. Helicon, Dublin, 1983.
*Bob Rowthorn and Naomi Wayne, ''Northern Ireland: The Political Economy of Conflict''. Polity Press, Cambridge, 1988. {{ISBN|0745605354}}
*Daltún Ó Ceallaigh, ''Labour, Nationalism and Irish Freedom''. Léirmheas, Dublin, 1991. {{ISBN|0951877704}}
*Vincent J. Delacy Ryan, ''Ireland Restored: The New Self-Determination''. Freedom House, New York, 1991. {{ISBN|0932088597}}
*[[David McKittrick]], ''Through the Minefield''. Belfast, Blackstaff Press, 1999. {{ISBN|085640652X}}
*Patrick J. Roche and Brian Barton, ''The Northern Ireland Question : Nationalism, Unionism and Partition'' Ashgate, Aldershot, 1999. {{ISBN|1840144904}}
*Catherine O'Donnell, ''Fianna Fáil, Irish Republicanism and the Northern Ireland Troubles, 1968–2005''. Irish Academic Press, Dublin, 2007. {{ISBN|9780716528593}}
*[[Richard Humphreys (judge)|Richard Humphreys]], ''Countdown to Unity : Debating Irish Reunification''. Irish Academic Press, Dublin, 2008. {{ISBN|9780716533474}}
*Kevin Meagher, ''A United Ireland: Why Unification Is Inevitable and How It Will Come About'', Biteback Publishing, 2016. {{ISBN|9781785901720}}
*{{cite journal |last1=McGuinness |first1=Seamus |last2=Bergin |first2=Adele |title=The political economy of a Northern Ireland border poll |journal=Cambridge Journal of Economics |date=2020 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=781–812 |doi=10.1093/cje/beaa007|hdl=10419/207322 |hdl-access=free }}
{{refend}}
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