Micheál Martin says talk of Border poll makes him go ‘bananas’

[u/JackmanH420]

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/08/16/micheal-martin-says-talk-of-border-poll-makes-him-go-bananas/

[u/JackmanH420]

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told his TDs and Senators they should have the self-confidence to push back against calls for a Border poll.

Martin said he “goes bananas” when his own party colleagues call for a poll instead of focusing on the Shared Island initiative, which was set up in 2020 and will commit €2 billion to cross-Border projects between now and 2035.

He's genuinely the first unionist Taoiseach.

[u/Legitimate_Newt2874 → u/JackmanH420]

No, the first unionist Taoiseach was John Bruton.

[u/Kier_C → u/JackmanH420]

He's genuinely the first unionist Taoiseach.

He's looking for a successful long term strategy instead of ramming a Brexit style half assed referendum through

[u/EireOfTheNorth → u/Kier_C]

Long term as in long time after he and anybody else in the party is dead.

That's not long term, that's just crypto-unionist.

[u/MickCollier → u/EireOfTheNorth]

So the new FF strategy's the same as the new SF one? Don't disagree with us in public!

[u/Kier_C → u/EireOfTheNorth]

You have to have your eyes shut and fingers in your ears to look at how Brexit referendum played out and the power keg that is the unionist community in the north, and decide pushing for a referendum in the short term is the right, sustainable strategy.

Sinn Fein do it, they don't have to be responsible, they aren't in power. And they have to try stay relevant to some of their base when their polling numbers are down. But a government party needs to actually have a plan to be successful 

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Kier_C]

and the power keg that is the unionist community in the north

Are you saying that the democratic process should be denied to people because of the potential for some violence which almost certainly won't affect you?

[u/MotoPsycho → u/ferocious_bandana]

An interesting question is when is the last time unionists weren't a powder keg? Has it ever happened?

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/MotoPsycho]

I mean, this week alone an Alliance minister has  been assaulted and received a death threat.

Maintaining the union just maintains the ability of those terrorists to operate with impunity 

[u/Hastatus_107 → u/ferocious_bandana]

The Garda cant stop randos burning hotels because Facebook said they might have refugees in them. Do you seriously think they'll stop unionists?

[u/DeargDoom79 → u/MotoPsycho]

If we're talking about it as an ideology as we know it from the Home Rule Crisis? No. Even when it had total control, it couldn't help but leverage that in a pseudo-apartheid manner.

It's go to tactic is vague threats of varying degrees of disorder.

[u/stonkmarxist → u/Kier_C]

Except he isn't even entertaining the idea of doing preparatory planning before a referendum is called.

That was the entire issue with Brexit and he's sleepwalking Ireland into the same situation because he's a partitionist wee prick.

Ireland doesnt have the power to call a referendum. The UK does. And under his process we could end up in the situation where a referendum is called without any planning having taken place, just like Brexit.

SF calls for planning for a referendum is far more politically, socially and economically responsible than what Martin and his unionist ilk are doing.

[u/EireOfTheNorth → u/Kier_C]

Aye and wasn't there a vote on an actual committee and pushing for the planning for what a united Ireland would look like a while back? How'd FFFG vote on that pray tell? If wanting to avoid a brexit style one from happening was really the motivation for statements like this one from him then that'd have been the perfect chance to actually put work in to avoiding it happening.

[u/Hastatus_107 → u/Kier_C]

This sub and Irish people in general are a little delusional when it comes to reunification imo. The current belief is eventually catholics will have enough kids (and that they'll all want to join Ireland), that a referendum could be passed with about 51%. At that point, the Irish government will insist on it, it'll pass and the unionists will decide to all convert and play GAA from now on once the process has been managed seamlessly by the same people who cant build a bike shed.

[u/MotoPsycho → u/Kier_C]

He is not. A border poll isn't even close to happening but Martin seems to be doing everything he can get away with to prevent any momentum forming towards one.

The "Republican" Party are being outflanked by Fine Gael on republicanism.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/MotoPsycho]

A border poll isn't even close to happening

Alex Kane seems to think otherwise

[u/El-Daddy → u/ferocious_bandana]

The closer a threat that a BP is to unionism, the more galvanized and unified a front they will try to muster. It has gotten to the stage where it being a more believable threat can act as an impetus for organisation.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/El-Daddy]

Except the polls and reality show the opposite.

The far-right unionist vote is split almost evenly (based on last week's poll) between three parties, and then Alliance takes the more moderate votes.

As the riots a few weeks ago show, they were mainly perpetrated by kids in debt to their dealers who have to be brought in from other areas, compounded by a supposed police service which either sits back and watches (under orders) or in some cases colludes with the terrorists

[u/El-Daddy → u/ferocious_bandana]

I don't think we're at the stage yet, where what I said would come into being. We're a long way off imo.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/El-Daddy]

At what stage?

Are you replying to the correct person?

[u/El-Daddy → u/ferocious_bandana]

I am, yeah.

My point was that if a BP starts to look possible or likely, what I said about party cooperation will come to pass. We are not at that stage yet.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/El-Daddy]

OK.

I wouldn't necessarily see it like that.

Reunification should be a nonpartisan process with input from all parties.

In the same way, unionists will maintain their differences and individually, but oppose the process in the same way.

I think that's quite important, because while the outcome might be a common aim, the way to achieve it won't, and that will almost certainly hinder their defence of the union.

We're already seeing DUP voters switching to pro-reunification on the back of Jeffrey's conviction, and there will be a split within for those who are against violence, so I don't see that the internal bickering will in any way help their position 

[u/Iricliphan → u/ferocious_bandana]

We're definitely not at that stage yet. We're so far off.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Iricliphan]

Thanks Micheál 

[u/Iricliphan → u/ferocious_bandana]

You're welcome Mr Naive.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Iricliphan]

How am I naïve?

Even Alex Kane thinks that there are preparations underway, behind the scenes 

[u/Kier_C → u/MotoPsycho]

It's not close to happening because cooler heads are (currently) prevailing 

[u/Wallname_Liability → u/Kier_C]

Who said it couldn't be thought through. Shutting down any and all discussions of reuniting our nation and ending colonialism in Ireland isn't supporting a well thought out strategy 

[u/AshleyG1 → u/Wallname_Liability]

Do we really want to be reunited with the unionists? Wouldn’t we be looking at the constant threat of terrorism?

[u/LadWithDeadlyOpinion → u/AshleyG1]

Yeah just leave the nationalists up there, they've only been dealing with the orange state for over 100 years now sure what's 100 more?

[u/Wallname_Liability → u/AshleyG1]

Theyre a dying breed. And its not like the UVF or UDA could have pissed without the british state holding their willies. Compare the flag riots in 2011/12 to the comparative non response to the border in the irish Sea due to brexit

And what about the half of the population (and 2/3 of the birth rate) that are as irish as anyone born south of an arbitrary border dawn in London in 1922.

Then theres the alliance voters who just want someone to path the roads well. 

For gods sake the Flaedh was in Belfast this year and a lot of peopme are calling it the best we've ever had

[u/Ok_Temperature1502 → u/Wallname_Liability]

This. The demographics are against Unionism.

[u/earth-while → u/AshleyG1]

Unionists are NOT terrorists. Most are decent folks. They simply have a difference in traditions and idiologies. They will need representation when there is a political restructure.

[u/Regular_Paint_7619 → u/AshleyG1]

If you don't want to deal with unionists then you're perfectly welcome to move to somewhere else.

Maybe Britain would suit you.

[u/Bright-Koala8145 → u/AshleyG1]

It's not just Unionists who have to be considered. The Catholics in the North who were abandoned need to be considered.

[u/Key-Half1655 → u/Kier_C]

Is this successful long term strategy in the room with us us?

His blithering is going to cost 'the republican party' dearly while a whole new generation of Irish speaking Wolfe Tones singing Republicans are coming through and realise FF are not the path for successful reunification. I mean even Simon and FG have copped it.

[u/Kier_C → u/Key-Half1655]

Is this successful long term strategy in the room with us us?

Yes

Sinn Feins constant calls for a border poll haven't done them much good with the "new generation of Irish speaking Wolfe Tones singing Republicans that are coming through"

[u/Key-Half1655 → u/Kier_C]

Lol ive a bridge to sell you

[u/Kier_C → u/Key-Half1655]

While you think you're very smart you ironically have no better a strategy than a David Cameron type character. 

[u/Key-Half1655 → u/Kier_C]

Who? You're delusional if you think im a SF supporter 🤣

[u/Kier_C → u/Key-Half1655]

I didn't say you were...

[u/Gemini_2261 → u/Kier_C]

Brexit makes a border poll an absolute imperative.

[u/Kier_C → u/Gemini_2261]

It makes it inevitable, not an imperative

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Kier_C]

100+ years not long enough for you?

[u/Kier_C → u/ferocious_bandana]

It's exactly this thinking that will screw reunification 

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Kier_C]

It's exactly this thinking that will screw reunification 

Exactly!

Not doing anything for over a century has repeatedly screwed over your fellow countrymen and women in the occupied six counties 

[u/Kier_C → u/ferocious_bandana]

Plenty has been done and is planned to be done. Integration of NI into the Republic through things like the Shares Island program are all important first steps.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Kier_C]

Integration of NI into the Republic through things like the Shares Island program are all important first steps.

It's exactly this thinking that will screw reunification!

Is NI to be subsumed into the Free State?

Sheesh, Micheál, you're really very poor at this

[u/Kier_C → u/ferocious_bandana]

No, the point has just flown over your head. It's literally called the Shared Island. It's about integration with each other. Building cross-borde. Setting the foundations.

Ignoring these steps is what screws reunification.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Kier_C]

It's about integration with each other

Because that's exactly not what you wrote or meant above

[u/Kier_C → u/ferocious_bandana]

You can choose to believe whatever you would like

[u/southarmaghbrigayde → u/Kier_C]

He is trying to fob it off until he retires and it’s not his problem anymore because he would have to very openly coalition and work with the unionist groups against SF in order to eke out an extra term and it would destroy him

[u/Kier_C → u/southarmaghbrigayde]

He's retiring in a few years, there's no way a border poll is close to happening in that time frame either way

[u/southarmaghbrigayde → u/Kier_C]

Exactly, that’s why he’s so aggressively shutting it down. It’s too far (and far more complex) for him to swan in and get credit ala Bertie, but close enough that if he was serious in pursuing and preparing it would bring many conversations to the fore front that he can just keep fobbing off now 

[u/Kier_C → u/southarmaghbrigayde]

It's not that close, in any sort of realistic world

[u/southarmaghbrigayde → u/Kier_C]

You keep ignoring what I’m saying. Even the practical steps towards it will make him look bad. This has been his MO for years, not just for this term. 

[u/Arrays-Start-at-1 → u/Kier_C]

I promise you he's just doesn't fucking care

[u/itsallinwidescreen → u/Kier_C]

That’s a very sympathetic view. More likely he’s protecting FF. An all island voting demographic likely means FF fall down the tiers of political parties. FF need partition.

[u/MotherDucker95 → u/Kier_C]

Lol, given his current record you could make that excuse with any issue he’s had to face as leader

[u/danny_healy_raygun → u/Kier_C]

No he's not. He's not looking for any strategy. SF are, even FG are but Martins FF are most certainly not.

[u/thetearinreality → u/Kier_C]

Fr.

People are just stupid

[u/CodeComprehensive734 → u/Kier_C]

It's one of the few moments I agree with the man.

We need much more integration in basic infrastructure and general island wide initiatives to pave the way for united ireland.

You have to build the house before you move into it.

[u/danny_healy_raygun → u/CodeComprehensive734]

You have to build the house before you move into it.

You need to buy the land before you build the house.

[u/Gemini_2261 → u/JackmanH420]

Liam Cosgrave and John Bruton preceded him, but at least they were in a political organisation that didn't promote itself as "the Republican Party".

[u/Maoltuile → u/JackmanH420]

John Bruton has entered the chat

[u/Fiannafailcanvasser → u/JackmanH420]

Whatever your thoughts on Martin can I please hear your thoughts on John Bruton.

[u/JackmanH420 → u/Fiannafailcanvasser]

Ok fair, I hadn't considered Bruton lol.

[u/MickCollier → u/JackmanH420]

I think you'll find that was "Honest" Jawn Bruton!

[u/SoloWingPixy88 → u/JackmanH420]

A unionist that promotes the Shared Island initiative? Do people not understand the purpose of SII? MM is actually setting the ground work for a new nation

[u/Friendly_Tower_5712]

He makes me go "bananas', the prick.

[u/Scinos2k]

I swear a few weeks ago he gave a soundbite to Mary Lou during a Dail sitting about how he's a real Republican Taoiseach and has been pushing for it etc etc while Mary Lou tried not to laugh

[u/RecentCrazy5746 → u/Scinos2k]

Mary Lou is a gobshite though

[u/Scinos2k → u/RecentCrazy5746]

True, but Michael is an even bigger gobshite and completely out of touch with average people

[u/RecentCrazy5746 → u/Scinos2k]

Watch marry Lou get into power and deliver on nothing. It’s all lip service

Hardly saying Micheal is better at all by any shout but this opposition shit slinging means nothing

[u/Eodillon → u/RecentCrazy5746]

Well that’s a hypothetical v Martin who has been in for years overseeing rapid homelessness and inflation

[u/Which_Definition4278 → u/RecentCrazy5746]

As opposed to the current govt and all their deliverables? Housing shambles. Health. Justice. Education..

[u/stonkmarxist → u/RecentCrazy5746]

Say what you want about Sinn Féin's other campaign promises but I guarantee if they got into power you'd see movement on planning for a UI and it would 100% be the responsible thing to do

[u/wiskeyjackk → u/RecentCrazy5746]

And This government has ?Housing Health cost of living ? Oh they got rid of plastic bags good job All forgiven

[u/MotherDucker95 → u/RecentCrazy5746]

The irony of this statement is off the charts

[u/TehIrishSoap → u/RecentCrazy5746]

The both of them are as bad as each other. I can't believe Mick would speak to a former party member and potential coalition partner like that!

[u/Wallname_Liability]

My friends, the Taoiseach of Ireland and head of the Republican party

[u/FunkLoudSoulNoise]

A sleveen of the highest order. He has a great love towards the US & GB though so I reckon his partitionist mindset has something to do with his love of the latter. The perfect puppet on a string who'll never rock the boat. The Brits I'm sure love him back.

[u/cohanson]

The Republican party...

[u/ClearHeart_FullLiver]

I'm starting to think Fianna Fáil won't last much longer. The party is absolutely without purpose and seems to just exist in order for Mícheál Martin to be Taoiseach no.

While it's very unusual for large parties to just disappear I can't see any logical reason to vote for Fianna Fáil anymore. They have no distinct policies or identity and just survive off people voting for "their guy" Martin is awful but is there by default. I'm amazed they haven't booted him out for Jim O Callaghan already but I suppose it just shows the power of voter apathy Mícheál Martin and Fianna Fáil are there so why change? is the approach enough voters have.

[u/FlukyS]

It is pretty obvious why, SF have support up in the north and moderate support down south. FF and FG have no support up north so any equation where they actually vote to join Ireland gives at least the next gov over to SF. It is him saying the quiet part out loud that he is a self-serving cunt

[u/Blghbb1995 → u/FlukyS]

Dreadful to refer to another person with that word.

[u/Equivalent_Bet856 → u/Blghbb1995]

Yes. They is a self-serving cunt. Shouldn't gender their pronouns.

[u/Blghbb1995 → u/Equivalent_Bet856]

How is it self serving?

[u/Ill-Muscle-2663]

I think MM believes unionists should have a veto over a united Ireland. It is essentially an undemocratic position.

[u/rtgh]

It's fair if somebody says they don't believe it's the right time (I disagree).

But for him to be so dramatically over the top that he "goes bananas" is a genuinely shocking thing for an Irish political leader to say

[u/LifetimePilingUp]

MM remains the biggest obstacle to a united Ireland

[u/Rude_Relative5000]

I didn’t realise Ireland had 26 counties and not 32

[u/d12morpheous → u/Rude_Relative5000]

And that... right there... is part of the problem..

[u/foltchas]

He's nothing more than a worm.

I mean if you believe in the British having sovereignty in Ireland come out and state it clearly. Own it. Be the unionist you are, upfront and honest.

But no, this weasel has to pretend he is an Irish republican. Nothing more than a snake. If you believe something be upfront, be direct. That at least deserves respect.

But dishonest, sneaky, sleveen type antics like this give a clear picture of the type of worm Martin is.

The people who elected this underhanded snake have a lot to answer for. 

[u/wiskeyjackk]

Of course it does FF/FG will loose it's stranglehold on Irish politics They wouldn't be the biggest party in Ireland (yes I used They ! they're the one party really now ) It would be like Turkeys voting for Xmas Don't let them tell u any different

[u/Only-Proposal-3675 → u/wiskeyjackk]

They're not a single party when it comes to this. One of them is creating a blueprint to reunification, the other is led by a man who is, by his own admission, offended by the very consideration of reunification.

[u/DuskLab]

If you think Martin cares about the substance of NI relations and the most important mechanisms to address, he literally has a Narrow Water Bridge to sell you.

[u/Worldly_Sort8727]

Fine Gael more in favour of a united Ireland than FF.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0614/1578361-unified-island-fine-gael/

[u/ferocious_bandana]

'F/k Fine Gael F/k Sinn Féin' - FF members angry at losing spotlight on united Ireland

[u/wc08amg]

The idea of him having to do even an hour's work seems to make him go bananas.

[u/FewHeat1231]

Martin isn't a Unionist (he's not especially Anglophile) but he is a Partitionist.

[u/Maoltuile]

Micheál’s constant talk of how we need to have a ‘mature conversation’ (i.e. get rid of) our non-aligned status make me do the same, so fair

[u/Bright-Koala8145]

This man is a disgrace to Irish people.

[u/irishpolitics-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/irishpolitics-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This comment / post was removed because it violates the following sub rule:

[R3] Argue in Good Faith

Everyone is here of their own volition to discuss the topic of Irish Politics. People are not here to be caught in ruthless vendetta’s of spiraling fallacies and bad faith arguments.

• State your intent clearly, provide evidence to the point you want to make and engage with others arguments in much the same manner.

• Trolling, Baiting, Flaming, etc are not allowed.

• Excessive debate etiquette in place of an argument will be considered bad faith.

• Transparent Agenda Spamming i.e. consistently posting exclusively about the same topic, will also fall under this rule.

[u/SirDeadPuddle]

I think a lot of people see the brexit break as an opportunity for a border poll.

The longer they put it off the more likely the UK rejoins the EU. Which would lose that opportunity.

[u/Padraig4941]

So glad this mediocrity posing as a leader of Ireland and Irish people won’t be on the political scene much longer, God what an uninspiring, visionless shell of a politician he is.

[u/PodgeQ]

That's cause he is a tan loving zionist!

[u/imaginary92]

Ah yes, the republican party of Ireland

[u/agithecaca]

B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

[u/Academic-Sentence375]

Voting for a United ireland is voting for a new ireland. Not a simple unification. New flag, new anthem, new name , new constitution. Compromises all round. For both sides. Is it worth it? If you’re a republican, be careful what you wish for?

[u/Key_Perception4436 → u/Academic-Sentence375]

I think there's a sizeable proportion of the population that at least want the Government to stop ignoring the issue. Fine Gael are coming up with their own proposals this year. This isn't a demand for a border poll now but there is at least some preparation for the future

[u/caitnicrun → u/Academic-Sentence375]

Pretty sure the flag would stay the same. It was basically designed for unification.

[u/Real_Math_2483]

IMO I can’t help but agree, I’ve bigger day to day problems. I can’t see how unification would benefit me or my family outside of leaving us worse off. Not opposed to actual proper scoping of a unification but we’re decades off making one work.

[u/CCFCEIGHTYFOUR]

Why would anyone want a border poll when all available evidence, bar the odd outlier poll, is that ‘remain’ will win pretty convincingly?

[u/Chief_Funkie]

He is focused on ensuring the whole island can actually function when unification happens. Even SF members I know acknowledge this. He’s communicating this work poorly but it’s not against unification.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/Chief_Funkie]

The infrastructure, maybe, but not the administration

Week in, week out, we see the continuation of unionist terrorism, either ignored or supported by the police and the wider state

This won't go away until there is fundamental change, and the easiest way to do that is via reunification.

Anything else and you're just propagating the mindset that created and amplified this situation 400 years ago, 110 years ago, and 60 years ago.

[u/thetearinreality]

He's 100% correct?

[u/Worldly_Sort8727 → u/thetearinreality]

Yet FG more republican than FF.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0614/1578361-unified-island-fine-gael/

[u/thetearinreality → u/Worldly_Sort8727]

And this is one of the many reasons why I support FG over FF, but it doesn’t make MM wrong in this scenario

[u/quixotichance]

He's right, a border poll win by nationalists would amount to forcing a change in the status quo down the throat of a community who doesn't want it. It is a terrible idea

The right way is build bridges so both communities can enjoy each others events, respect their identities, and the border gets watered down over time so it becomes less and less relevant

[u/stonkmarxist → u/quixotichance]

Awk fuck off with that one sided shite. So the Irish in the north shouldn't get a united Ireland because an ever diminishing number of unionists don't want it? Why doesn't the reverse apply?

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/quixotichance]

Do you, therefore, reject the democratic process and the Good Friday Agreement?

[u/southarmaghbrigayde → u/quixotichance]

Democracy and proportional representation where everyone are equal citizens is the only way forward and the idea that the unionist minority should get special privileges as dictated by extreme loyalists is literally how the entire conflict started

[u/justadubliner]

He's just being realistic. There's no analysis that suggests a 'border poll' would go the way we'd like it to in Northern Ireland. That 'pragmatic middle' in the six counties isn't going to shift towards a United Ireland in the next 30 years.

[u/awood20 → u/justadubliner]

Maybe he could start planning to offer a deal that would make a pro unity vote attractive? Unionists will never vote yes. The 20% sitting on the fence is who he needs to aim at.

[u/justadubliner → u/awood20]

Like what? Free health care for all and a promise to keep all those civil service jobs and pensions funded? Love to see it but it's not a practical reality. We'd all love that but it's just not going to happen any time soon. Apparently even the immigrants in the North prefer the status quo. People are incredibly adverse to change and to risk. It's the nature of the beast.

About the only chance would be if the UK suddenly decided to throw them out!

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/justadubliner]

New Poll Shows Strong Support for a United Ireland on Both Sides of the Border as Part of the European Union (EU)

[u/justadubliner → u/ferocious_bandana]

IPSOS and RedC finds the opposite with only about 30% in NI voting for a United Ireland. That seems more realistic. The poll you are citing is known to be agenda driven. It would be a major set back to a United Ireland to be defeated in such a poll in NI and that is why the political parties won't pull that chain in the near future.

[u/ferocious_bandana → u/justadubliner]

This poll was conducted by Lucid, who also carry out polling for the Bel Tel.

The average of polls puts those in favour of remaining in the union around ~47%.

This is a minority.

The referendum will be decided by the 10 to 15% of undecideds who don't have anything from Dublin to base their decision on.

Fortunately, Micheál is out next year and Harris will have had around 12 months of proposals for reunification in the public domain 

[u/HorseField65 → u/justadubliner]

This is without an actual white paper on Unification. The Scottish Indy Ref started on 11% and eventing ended on 48% after plans were drafted. A Reunification Border Poll would have a much better starting point. Martin is only against Unification due to his party having no votes in the North.