Foster responds to Britain ‘losing interest’ comment

The Shared Island Unit was set up in Micheal Martin’s office earlier this year to “work towards a consensus on a shared island”.

The Irish Premier said it is preparing for the possibility that Britain may get “turned off” Northern Ireland.

Mr Martin acknowledged there are “two distinct political jurisdictions” on the island, and he added, “we have to acknowledge the reality of that”.

However, he went on to speculate around the potential impact of English nationalism, Brexit and the possibility of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom on Northern Ireland’s membership of the union.

“What happens if England gets turned off Northern Ireland?

“We’ve got to be thinking all this through,” Mr Martin told the Irish Independent newspaper.

“They may just say ‘we’re not as committed to it as we were in the past’.

“That may not happen for quite some time, but we have to be prepared for all sorts of eventualities.”

But Mr Martin ruled out the possibility of a border poll, describing it as “too divisive and too threatening”.

Mrs Foster expressed her disappointment over the comments, coming just a week after what she described as a positive meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

“A good neighbourly N/S relationship requires consistency,” she tweeted.

“After a positive NSMC, the Taoiseach’s comments are disappointing.

“The principle of consent determines NI’s place in the U.K. NI will keep moving forward by respecting our diverse identities not dubious theories.”