Northern Ireland

Mary Lou McDonald welcomes Irish American newspaper advert call for unity referendum

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire
Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire

SINN Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has welcomed a call by Irish American groups urging the British government to set the date for a border poll.

The Dublin TD last night said "change is underway, it cannot be resisted but it must be managed".

Her comments came ahead of an advert due to be published in newspapers in the US which also calls on the Irish government to "promote and plan for unity".

It has been signed by Ancient Order of Hibernians, Brehon Law Society, Friends of Sinn Féin USA, Irish American Unity Conference, James Connolly Irish American Labor Coalition and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

It states: "As Americans, we call upon our government and public representatives to urge the British government to set the date for the unity referendum".

Sinn Féin said the advert will appear in the Washington Post, New York Times, Irish Voice and Irish Echo.

Ms McDonald said: "Irish America has been central to the signing and safeguarding of the Good Friday Agreement. The central principle of the Agreement is the right of the people to determine their constitutional future.

"A unity referendum is the measure of that right and an essential commitment of the Agreement.

"Brexit, the British government breaking international law, and threats from unionism are a challenge to the Good Friday Agreement.

"Change is underway, it cannot be resisted but it must be managed.

"Now is the time to recommit, and not resile, from the commitment to peace and democracy.

"I commend the groups involved for their common sense call for the Irish government to prepare and promote Irish unity as part of an informed, respectful and inclusive process and for the British government to set the date for the unity referendum."