An Irish government minister has publicly disagreed with recent remarks by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding the prospect of an Irish border poll. Niamh Smyth, Ireland’s minister of state for trade promotion and a member of Fianna Fáil, stated that she “categorically and fundamentally” rejected Burnham’s assertion that a vote on Irish reunification is “off the table.”

Burnham’s comments, made earlier this week, suggested that the United Kingdom government does not currently consider a border referendum—on whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland—to be a viable or imminent option. However, Smyth emphasized that Ireland’s government remains committed to pursuing the possibility of a “reunited Ireland” and that such a poll cannot be dismissed outright.

The question of a border poll remains a deeply sensitive and politically complex issue, tied closely to the ongoing discussions surrounding Northern Ireland’s constitutional status following Brexit. Under the Good Friday Agreement, a referendum on Irish unity can be called if it appears likely that a majority in Northern Ireland would support joining the Republic of Ireland.

Smyth’s comments underscore continuing divisions between Irish and British officials on how to approach the delicate situation in Northern Ireland. While Burnham maintains that the UK government does not currently intend to hold a border poll, Irish representatives are signaling that the option of a referendum remains an important part of their political agenda.

No specific timeline for such a vote was discussed by Smyth, nor did she indicate that one would be called imminently. Instead, her remarks suggest that the Irish government will continue to explore avenues to advance the possibility of Irish reunification, reflecting ongoing efforts by some political sectors to address longstanding questions about sovereignty and national identity on the island.