'A classic stunt and a pipe dream': Unionists react to Sinn Fein bill on 'destruction of Northern Ireland'
Unionists have rubbished Sinn Fein’s latest push for Northern Ireland to leave the UK, with DUP deputy Michelle McIlveen calling it a “classic stunt” from the party.
UUP peer Sir Reg Empey said likewise, adding that the bill laid before the Irish parliament is a product of Dublin parties “trying to 'out green' each other”, while party colleague Steve Aiken called it “pointless posturing to reinforce a failing electoral position”.
Meanwhile TUV chairman Allister Kyle said that it should give other unionists renewed reason to consider why they are in government with a party that is actively pursuing “the destruction of Northern Ireland”.
They were reacting to the Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026, laid before the Dail by Mary Lou McDonald today.
If enacted – which looks in doubt since the Irish government is opposing it – the bill would impose a duty on the taoiseach to publish “a Green Paper on planning and preparing for the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland".
It would oblige him to publish this within 18 months, and it would be required to cover “the economic and fiscal implications of the reunification of Ireland” and “the implications for public services”.
The bill also obliges him to consult with unionists.
One year after the taoiseach publishes the Green Paper, he would then be required to establish a “Citizens’ Assembly” to look into Northern Ireland leaving the UK.
Citizens Assemblies are generally made up of 99 members of the general public, who then debate a given topic and produce recommendations.
The Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led government said it will oppose the bill; Irish deputy leader Simon Harris had already announced he was bringing out his own “blueprint” for constitutional change in November.
DUP deputy leader Miss McIlveen said: “This is a classic Sinn Fein stunt. Instead of focusing on the issues that matter to ordinary working people, they’re back pushing another border poll pipe dream.
"The irony is that even the Irish government has said it will oppose this bill. That tells you everything you need to know.
"Sinn Fein’s claim that Irish unity is somehow inevitable lacks any credibility when even parties in the Irish Republic see this bill for what it is.
"Add to that the fact that the combined nationalist vote in Northern Ireland hasn’t changed since 1998, and you see how devoid of political reality Sinn Fein’s narrative is.”
The most recent NI Life and Times survey – a long-running poll of about 1,200 people run by NI’s two universities – found in that 36% of respendents would vote in favour of leaving the UK, while 45% would vote against.
Miss McIlveen added: “Sinn Fein can keep trying to drag everyone into endless arguments about the border, but that isn’t paying a single bill, cutting a single waiting list or creating a single job.”
Lord Empey told the News Letter: “People in both jurisdictions on this island are focused on the cost of living, rising energy costs, immigration as well as the very unstable international situation which has created a cloud of uncertainty over trade and international security.
"A recent survey in the Republic showed that housing and other economic issues were on top of the agenda, and 'Irish Unity' was only mentioned as a priority by a handful of people.
"Sinn Fein has shown itself to be a one trick pony with nothing to show for nearly 50 years of agitation but a string of empty and unfulfilled promises."
Dr Aiken said that Sinn Fein “demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of polling that has been, since 1998, no significant call for a United Island, ever”, adding: “This really is the start of media silly season.”
Councillor Allister Kyle said: “This is yet further evidence of the fact that Sinn Fein are not in government to improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland.
"Rather, they seeking to use all tools at their disposal to keep a discussion about the break up of the UK on the radar.
"The Belfast Agreement was sold to Unionists on the basis that there could be no constitutional change without the express consent of the people of Northern Ireland.
"Now we have a situation where Sinn Fein are creating a debate in the Dail around the destruction of Northern Ireland, while in Stormont the rules about parallel consent were binned when it came to the Protocol."
The 1998 agreement had committed signatories to “recognise the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland with regard to its status,” and the subsequent Northern Ireland Act 1998 said the UK government shall call a referendum only “if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom”.
Councillor Kyle added: "Dublin cannot legislate Northern Ireland out of existence so I wouldn't get overly excited about what's happening in relation to this bill.
"That said, when Sinn Fein make no secret of their desire to destroy Northern Ireland it would be wise for Unionists to think seriously about their suitability as partners in government."