Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Government Chief Whip will know, we dissented from the schedule last week. What I want to raise right now is the poll in The Irish News today that reveals that for the first time there is no longer a majority in favour of remaining in the union. In 2015, the figure was 59.1%. Now it is 48.6%. Will the Government hold statements on this matter and to commit to it? We need to talk about planning responsibly for Irish unity. We need a citizens' assembly. We need to get real about this. All the evidence is that this is happening. We need to engage with the British Government about when the referendum will take place. Will the Taoiseach respond to the findings of that poll and tell us his plans for preparing responsibly for Irish unity? We look forward to those statements as soon as possible.

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