10/04/2013

Sinn Féin Renew Border Poll Call

As Sinn Féin begin preparations for this year's Ard Fheis, to be held at Castlebar in County Mayo, the party has used the launch of its agenda to call for a border poll on Irish unity.

Newry/Armagh MP Conor Murphy has claimed a single island economy would promote prosperity, jobs and investment.

He said: "Sinn Féin believes it is time for a border poll. Fifteen years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, it is time for the people to have their say.

"Partition is unjust, uneconomic and inefficient. A single island economy would be good for prosperity, good for jobs, good for investment.

"An economy of 6.4m people is a viable economy which offers a stronger basis for recovery than a partitioned economy.

"The duplication of services, existence of two currencies and tax systems and competing investment agencies is inefficient and an impediment to economic growth."

Mr Murphy continued: "Partition has undermined economic development North and South and a 32-County economy would be stronger and would offer new opportunities and potential for growth and prosperity.

"The British Secretary of State should set a date for a referendum in the Six Counties on Irish unity to be held within the lifetime of the next Assembly.

"Furthermore the Irish Government should press the British Government to set a date for a poll as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement and to commit to holding a simultaneous poll in the 26 Counties on Irish unity."

(IT/CD)

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