Stormont: Sinn Fein President says Irish Government sets pace on unity issue
Mary Lou McDonald was speaking during the Taoiseach's visit to Northern Ireland
Last updated 7th May 2026
The Irish Government is responsible for “setting the pace” on Irish unification, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.
Speaking at Stormont during a visit to Northern Ireland by Taoiseach Micheal Martin., Ms McDonald said: “There has to be preparation for those referendums. To sleepwalk into the kind of constitutional transition and change that we are facing into we believe is very, very irresponsible at this stage.”
She added: “I am very frustrated that both governments in Dublin and London are choosing a course of least resistance, burying their head in the sand – that’s not a sustainable position.”
Deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said election results in Scotland and Wales “will be very telling”, adding: “I think it’s an opportunity for people to reject the fact that Westminster has failed people here, or whether it’s in Scotland and Wales.
“And we look forward to working with those parties that actually believe in self-determination for their people, that want to be taken away from the shackles of Westminster, that want to build a more opportunistic and hopeful future for their people.
“We will have common cause with those parties and I think that’s a very strong message in terms of the future of the union.”
Meanwhile, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the Irish Government’s interstate case against the UK is a “disgrace” and should be immediately withdrawn.
Mr Robinson’s comments came after Sinn Fein said Taoiseach Micheal Martin indicated Ireland would maintain the legal challenge if the UK Government reneges on legacy commitments.
He told reporters at Stormont: “It has always been a disgrace – I’ve indicated to you very clearly – An Irish Government that talks a lot about legacy but has delivered nothing for victims, an Irish Government that has more answers in their top drawer than they have the temerity to give lectures to the UK Government.
“They continually ask a lot of others, but they fail time and time and time again.
Earlier, Irish premier Micheal Martin has vowed to continue working towards reconciliation and mutual trust ahead of a visit to Belfast.
The Taoiseach arrived at Parliament Buildings at Stormont on Thursday morning ahead of a series of meetings with political leaders.
He was greeted at the door by Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots ahead of his first meeting of the day, with First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald.
Mr Martin is also due to meet the other main parties at Stormont, as well as business leaders, and engage with Women’s Aid.
Later, he will mark the signing of a 700 million euro (£604 million) contract for a new fleet of cross-border trains, before delivering the Lord David Trimble Lecture 2026 at Queen’s University Belfast.