GERRY Adams has called on Irish America to help secure a border poll on Irish unity within the next five years.
Speaking in New York at the annual Friends of Sinn Féin dinner, the party leader spoke about 'generational change' with hopes for a unity referendum within the next five years.
Mr Adams was accompanied by the party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald and northern leader Michelle O'Neill to the fundraiser.
The Louth TD, used the event to lobby the influential Irish American audience to "play their part" in helping secure a referendum on Irish unity.
Commenting on the stalled Stormont talks process Mr Adams said the party "remains open to dialogue" and is still in contact with the DUP.
"We are determined to do all we can to ensure that the institutions and the Executive are restored. But they can only be restored on the basis that they are sustainable and durable.They must represent all sections of our society and deliver for everyone.
"These issues are not going away. If they are not dealt with now they will have to be dealt with up the road; and sooner rather than later."
The party will hold their Ard Fheis in Dublin next week, with Mr Adams saying they would use the annual gathering to discuss the "objective of securing within the next five-years a referendum on Irish unity".
"Irish America also has a huge role to play in winning the right to a referendum and winning the vote for unity," he said.
"Two months ago President Trump agreed to appoint a Special Envoy to the peace process.
"I welcome that and I commend the Democratic and Republican representatives who lobbied on this. Many here understand and appreciate that the Irish peace process remains the most successful US foreign policy engagement."
