Ms Liz O'Donnell:

It is legitimate to advocate. It is a question of the equal aspirations that are recognised by the Irish Government, that is, the equal aspirations of staying with the United Kingdom and of political unity between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Those are political aspirations. The big gain is that we agree that those are equally decent and legitimate aspirations which are to be achieved through politics. The border poll is premature now. I could see a border poll in ten years, with much preparation work done before that, but I certainly do not think we are in a state of mind nationally, or especially in Northern Ireland, with regard to unionism, to be talking about a border poll in early course. It would be helpful if people said it will not take place for ten years or 15 years. If Sinn Féin would say that it will be ten years and let us work towards that, that would be fine.

To hold up the prospect of a border poll as if it were imminent is frightening for the unionist community. I can understand that. The ground work has not been laid. The psychological space is not there for unionism to contemplate that yet because people are not working together in Northern Ireland in the institutions we have established. The key is to get back working together, getting to know each other and having a collective will to make Northern Ireland work. That is what is needed and it can only be done with the institutions.

Deputy Tully mentioned civil society. There is a need for civil society to be more engaged. I am sure civil society is completely annoyed and disturbed that its institutions and politicians are not working. The ideal is for the parties in Northern Ireland to come together, form the Executive and start legislating for their people. Failing that, a civic forum would be good.