Bertie Ahern says united Ireland can be achieved in coming years

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says he believes the “problems and challenges” of bringing about a united Ireland can be overcome in the next few years. The former Fianna Fail leader described reunification as “feasible” in an interview with a leading Spanish digital newspaper. And Mr Ahern said he feels that as far as the Republic goes, polls pointing to the majority of people there supporting Irish unity could translate into a ‘yes’ vote in a referendum with proper preparation on both sides of the border.

The 71-year-old father-of-two, one of the architects of the Good Friday agreement, told El Confidential: “The agreement states that there can be a reunification referendum.

“But in my opinion, before that can happen, two things must occur.

“First you need all institutions to be restored and running successfully for a sustainable period.

“And second you need some groundwork to analyse what a united Ireland would look like, how north and south could be integrated, how all the state agencies and their commercial and cultural organisations would function.

“There are already some academic studies underway but there is still much work to be done.

“Referendums don’t work when you ask people about scenarios that aren’t clear. It happened with Brexit and with the Scottish consultation.”

He added: “I see a plebiscite as possible for the end of this decade. But there are still many years left for that.”

Asked about the “lack of appetite” for reunification in the Republic highlighted by many “experts”, Mr Ahern fired back while insisting a referendum now was not a good idea: “That is not true.

“Poll after poll shows that the majority of people in the Republic of Ireland are in favour of reunification.

“But when they ask the second question about what it would be like or how much it would cost, there the doubts arise.

“Therefore, going back to what we were talking about before, until things are explained in detail, people will be sceptical.

“Academic work in this regard has begun recently. But I personally believe the problems and challenges associated with a new Ireland are surmountable.

“I think it’s possible. We are a small island, seven million people between north and south.”

Referring to the 100 or so peace wall barriers in Northern Ireland separating Protestant and Catholic communities, Mr Ahern claimed: “I think that if many came down today there wouldn’t be any difference.

“Eventually someone has to take a decision on which ones can be removed and which ones can’t.

“People are somehow ahead of politicians. With time I think most of the walls can be removed.”

On the heightened Northern Ireland terror alert ahead of US President Joe Biden’s arrival in Belfast on Tuesday a day after the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement before the US president travels to Dublin, Co Louth and Co Mayo, he added: “Throughout the last few decades there have always been small groups that have never supported the pact and do not like the idea of things being resolved peacefully.

“They are small in number but unfortunately we know that it doesn’t take a lot of people to plant a bomb or commit terrible acts of violence.

“But there is little to no public support now for any form of violence.

“I think the reason the level has been raised is really because of Joe Biden’s visit. In the next few days Bill Clinton will also come.

“I think it is more due to this. Logically you can never say there will be no problem. But these groups have no support.”

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