Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that the conditions for calling a border poll "have to be discussed" and are an issue that should be addressed. He expressed his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and emphasized the importance of building on reconciliation and connectivity between north and south. Martin also noted that the concept of republicanism is broader than just a border poll, encompassing unity among Protestant, Catholic, and other groups. He stated that any discussions about a border poll should be done in a spirit of cooperation with all parties involved, rather than being driven by short-term political objectives.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that the conditions for calling a border poll must be discussed. This comes after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's comments were criticized, with some interpreting them as ruling out discussions on a border poll. However, Mr. Sunak later clarified his remarks, saying they referred only to the day's engagements and reaffirming his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, reached in 1998, a border poll can be held if it appears likely that a majority would vote for Irish unification. The agreement also places a duty on the Secretary of State to call such a poll in these circumstances. Mr. Martin emphasized the importance of building on reconciliation and increasing connectivity between Northern Ireland and the Republic, citing the Good Friday Agreement as a model for how governments can work together to achieve this goal.
Written for “Northern Ireland Politics” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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He hasn’t said anything different to previous British prime ministers, and in our view, you know, we’ve got to continue to build on reconciliation, continue to build on increasing that connectivity, practical connectivity, north and south.
left emphasizes the importance of building on existing agreements
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What’s important is that the Good Friday Agreement came about because of the British and Irish governments being anchors to that initiative, working with all the political parties, political traditions in the North and in the Republic, and so, in our view, the future has to be determined in that spirit and in that approach.
left emphasizes the importance of cooperation between governments
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We’re not going to be browbeaten in by various motions or calls for this or a call for that.
right expresses resistance to external pressure
Leaning score -0.45 for article 6810 (medium confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-07
The conditions for calling a border poll is “an issue that has to be discussed”, the Taoiseach has said.
asserted
Taoiseach → call → poll
Mr Burnham drew criticism when he said discussions on a border poll would be “off the table” as he visited Belfast at the end of August, later clarifying his remarks were about the day’s engagements as he said he was committed to the Good Friday Agreement.
asserted
he → draw → Agreement
Speaking on Monday, Mr Martin said: “He hasn’t said anything different to previous British prime ministers, and in our view, you know, we’ve got to continue to build on reconciliation, continue to build on increasing that connectivity, practical connectivity, north and south.
asserted
we → speak → connectivity
“What’s important is that the Good Friday Agreement came about because of the British and Irish governments being anchors to that initiative, working with all the political parties, political traditions in the North and in the Republic, and so, in our view, the future has to be determined in that spirit and in that approach.”
asserted
future → ’ → approach
Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Secretary of State can decide to hold a border poll, and it also places a duty on the office holder to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
asserted
majority → decide → unification
Asked if he would be discussing the matter with Mr Burnham, the Taoiseach told reporters at his Fianna Fáil party think-in that he did not want to “pre-empt” the meeting, but added: “That issue was left, perhaps deliberately vague at that time (of the Agreement).”
asserted
issue → ask → Agreement
Pressed on his own views, Mr Martin said unity “would be the best outcome” but he did not want to put dates on it.
asserted
he → press → it
He said the concept of republicanism is much broader than a border poll: “It’s about uniting Protestant, Catholic, the centre, in the concept of Wolfe Tone.
asserted
It → say → Tone
“Perhaps in the modern area it has broadened out to involve more than than just that.
asserted
it → broaden → that
And I think we should be careful of not being sucked in by soundbites and by campaigns that seem to me to have short-term objectives to satisfy political bases.”
asserted
that → think → bases
He added: “We’re not going to be browbeaten in by various motions or calls for this or a call for that.
asserted
We → add → that
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“I do have an understanding of how political agreements come about, and they don’t come about by saying it’s our way or the highway or no-one’s way.
asserted
it → read → understanding
So that’s that’s what informs my approach.”
asserted
what → ’ → approach
Last week, Fine Gael junior minister Neale Richmond told the BBC Borderland podcast that he believed the Northern Ireland Secretary should set out the conditions for calling a border poll.
asserted
Secretary → tell → poll
Asked if he supported that, the Taoiseach said: “It’s not about timelines.
asserted
It → ask → timelines
I do think that that’s an issue that has to be discussed and dealt with.
asserted
that → think → ?
“But I think the more important issue is – and to a certain respect some of the studies we’ve done in the Shared Island Unit have revealed – the differences, the divergences that have occurred in 100 years.
asserted
that → think → years
Mr Martin said the big challenge was around attituded as he said “public opinion polls are just scratching the surface”.
asserted
polls → say → surface
