Mixed reaction from NI politicians over Tánaiste's letter

Mixed reaction from NI politicians following Harris approach over views on Irish unity

Updated / Sunday, 15 Nov 2026 20:25

Political leaders in Northern Ireland have given a mixed reaction to an approach from Tánaiste Simon Harris to discuss common ground for Irish reunification.

The Fine Gael leader wrote to all political leaders across the island in recent days to seek their views on Irish unity and to share his party's "blueprint" for reunification, with projections it could cost up to €25 billion a year.

The party's proposals also include a new junior minister for North-South relations in a dedicated unit within the Department of the Taoiseach and the establishment of a dedicated sovereign wealth fund to deal with the potential costs of the transition.

The Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows accused the Tánaiste of "indulging in fairy-tale politics" and that his party had "no interest in a republican invitation to commit political suicide".

"There is nothing to be gained from pretending everything would be sweetness and light in your new 'nirvana'. The exercise upon which you have embarked upon is destabilising, unhelpful and potentially dangerous. I would urge you to face reality and devote your energies to building trust," wrote Mr Burrows in response to Mr Harris.

The DUP leader Gavin Robinson was also sceptical of the Wicklow TD's correspondence.

"Simon Harris and the Irish Government can find time to write to unionists about breaking up the United Kingdom. They should find time to answer the ICRIR's (Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery's) questions about the Irish Republic's role in Troubles' deaths," he said.

The TUV's Jim Allister told the BBC how Mr Harris' "courtship techniques are somewhat lacking".

"My message to you is simple: you run your part of this island as your people wish, but butt out of the affairs and future of those pleased to be part of a larger and more prosperous United Kingdom, upon whose defence capacity you are glad to rely," he added.

The SDLP leader Claire Hanna last night reacted positively to Mr Harris' efforts, saying a "new Ireland must mean precisely that: an opportunity to build a new nation, not simply reverse partition".

Alliance leader Naomi Long said that her party will "engage respectfully" in any conversations about the future of Northern Ireland.

She told the BBC how Mr Harris was looking at how both parts of the island could work better together "even if there isn't unity", adding that Northern Ireland's financial challenges made that discussion necessary.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald has said that the Government must act and not delay when it comes to Irish reunification.

The Coalition opposed Sinn Féin legislation in July that, if accepted, would have compelled the Taoiseach to produce a Green Paper examining the implications of constitutional change within 18 months.

In August, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a border poll "was off the table".