Donegal’s County Councillors have voted in support of the Good Friday Agreement and preparations for a border poll on Irish unity.
The vote was held at this month’s county council meeting in Lifford in respect of Sinn Féin Councillor Terry Crossan’s first motion.
Cllr Crossan called on the council to re-affirm its support for the Good Friday Agreement and to urge the Government to prepare for a border poll on Irish unity.
Cllr Crossan told council members that all the negative impacts of a no-deal Brexit will be caused by partition.
“I think the only lasting solution we can have is reunification,” Cllr Crossan said.
“I think it would be the responsible thing for the government to lay down the groundwork for a border poll and ensure it is won for a United Ireland,” he added.
Cllr Liam Blaney opposed the motion and asked Crossan to consider amending the wording to delete any mentions of the border poll.
“I believe it’s natural that the north and south will unify down the line,” Cllr Blaney said, adding: “We should call on the government to plan for Irish unity. We should work with north and south to ensure nobody is left behind. I believe that a border poll will make things divisive.”
Cllr Crossan refused to amend his motion, saying that the idea of a border poll is enshrined within the Good Friday Agreement.
Councillors voted to pass the motion, with 17 votes for, 9 against and one abstention.
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