DUP leader Sir Geoffrey Donaldson rejected Sinn Féin’s predictions of a border survey within 10 years, saying: “We are a long way from a united Ireland.”
Lord Jeffrey said Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou Macdonald must have “the longest arm on the island” to claim Irish unity was within reach. Told.
After two years of boycotting, the DUP has given the go-ahead to recall Stormont parliament on the back of an agreement with the government on a post-Brexit trade deal.
Last week, two bills included in the deal to restore decentralization were swiftly passed by the House of Commons.
Sir Jeffrey said the new arrangements effectively abolished the so-called Irish Sea border for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and for goods held in Northern Ireland.
But the DUP leader told Newstalk Radio’s Pat Kenny Show that he did not believe “anyone of any credibility believed this to be the case”.
He added: “There is nothing to suggest there has been a significant change in public opinion in Northern Ireland.
“All the polling data shows that support for Remain in the UK is very strong.
Sir Geoffrey added: “Unless Mary Lou MacDonald has the longest arms on the island, I don’t think she’s anywhere close to being touched.
“When I say 10 years, Gerry Adams once predicted that we would have a united Ireland by 2016, but almost 10 years have passed since then and we are still far from a united Ireland.”
He said he wanted to see closer mutual cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“I think there are a lot of things we can work on together and collaborate on.
“All this talk comes from Sinn Féin, who want politicians to work together to focus on the real issues that matter to them, health and education. I think we’re one of the parties that polls divide borders even though we want them to.” Housing, child care, prosperity, jobs, all of these things are important to people.
“I think all this talk about border checks is spot on.
“I think Sinn Féin is trying to elevate their position and reassure their base after the gains the DUP have made with this deal that ties Northern Ireland more closely to the United Kingdom.
“It’s really disgusting to hide what they know and realize. We are no closer to a united Ireland.”
Sir Geoffrey also denied that the strike by public sector workers in Northern Ireland was a major factor in convincing the party to return to Stormont.
The UK government proposed a £3.3bn fiscal package, including money to settle public sector pay claims, but it was dependent on the return of power-sharing institutions.
“Frankly, the government should have paid public sector workers.
“That was not a major factor in our decision[to return to Stormont]because ultimately we needed to get an agreement with the government and ensure that they were on their side and to protect them. Northern Ireland’s ability to trade with the rest of the UK was important.
“Over £12 billion of goods are sold in the UK every year, making it a hugely important market for us.
“This was a key element in reaching an agreement with the government to secure the necessary changes.
“And now, hopefully, working with the Treasury, we can provide public sector workers with public sector pay.”