Politics

Arlene Foster's pledge to leave Ireland 'sad but not surprising'

Arlene Foster was speaking to comedian Patrick Kielty for a documentary
Arlene Foster was speaking to comedian Patrick Kielty for a documentary Arlene Foster was speaking to comedian Patrick Kielty for a documentary

ALLIANCE leader Naomi Long has described suggestions by Arlene Foster that she would leave Ireland in the event of unification as “sad but not entirely surprising”.

The DUP leader told Co Down born comedian Patrick Kielty that she would “probably have to move” if the outcome of a border poll was a united Ireland.

She was speaking during a BBC documentary My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me, marking 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement. Mrs Long said the DUP leader’s response was “very honest” and reflected the need for reconciliation.

"It saddens me that someone would no longer consider this place their home because of the positioning of the border but it is also challenging because it reminds us how difficult it is for people here to see themselves as part of a shared society," she added.

Naomi Long said her husband Michael had lived in the Republic and she had travelled there extensively. “I think Arlene’s remarks are somewhat out of proportion – I don’t understand where the fear comes from,” the East Belfast MLA said.

“Her reaction should perhaps also help her understand the opposite situation and the need to make people who aren’t necessarily comfortable living in Northern Ireland feel more welcome here.”

Former Ireland rugby international and reconciliation campaigner Trevor Ringland, left, said the DUP leader’s comments reflected what many unionists thought.

“As someone who is quite comfortable with their Irishness, I’m constantly amazed at the failure of nationalism and republicanism to create a concept of Ireland that includes the British-Irish tradition,” he said.

“I think what Arlene said shows that there is still a lot of reconciliation needed in our society.”

Nationalist commentator and former Sinn Fein council candidate Chris Donnelly, right, claimed Mrs Foster’s comments were “inappropriate for someone in her position”. 

"As the de facto leader of the unionist community, given the DUP’s dominant electoral position, to declare an intention to simply up and move in the event of Irish unity sends out the wrong message,” he said.

“Someone more understanding of the responsibilities of leadership would appreciate the need to reassure her own constituency of their place within our society, now and in the future, and commit to lead the unionist people into any discussions on future constitutional arrangements confident that their rights and identity would always be respected.”

Some other unionists politicians, meanwhile, indicated they would not leave in the event of a united Ireland. Former UUP leader and Fermanagh-South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott told the News Letter that it was a question he had “never given any real thought to – but hypothetically it it were to happen my immediate sense wouldn’t be to leave”.

Party leader Robin Swann, right, also said: “This is my home. It is the only home I have ever known and I will not be leaving it.”

 

Our Dad x Here’s to the future...

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