29/10/2012

NI Border Poll A 'Waste Of Money'

The DUP has branded discussions over a united-Ireland referendum as a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Jeffrey Donaldson has said the people of Northern Ireland do not need to hold a vote in order to decide something that is "blindingly obvious".

The Lagan Valley MP was speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics show.

He said: "People in the south don’t want a united Ireland, people in Northern Ireland don’t want a united Ireland.

"Why would we waste taxpayers’ money on asking something we already know the answer to?"

He said unionists were "confident of their position" within the UK.

A poll undertaken by the Belfast Telegraph this year said only 7% of Northern Ireland voters would vote for a united Ireland.

Asked regarding 20 years from now, 32% of people said they would like to see the border removed.

The newspaper said the Catholic vote for unity was also in the minority at 48%.

Sinn Féin national chairman Declan Kearney was also speaking on Sunday Politics.

He said: "We need to see an end to the status quo that currently validates and perpetuates sectarianism and segregation within our society.

"We could do so much better if our parties worked harder at putting forward a common vision."

Last week Gerry Adams called for a poll on the border issue to be held.

Northern Ireland’s two main parties are currently involved in disagreements.

First Minister Peter Robinson accused Sinn Féin of being irresponsible over welfare reform legislation and of being afraid of the SDLP.

(IT)

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