Politics

Gerry Adams welcomes Kenny’s comments on Border poll

Sinn Féin leader says he has no plans to step down from position within the next five years

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams welcomed Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s comments on a possible Border poll. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams welcomed Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s comments on a possible Border poll. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times
Sarah Bardon
Tue Jul 19 2016 - 12:20

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams welcomed Taoiseach Enda Kenny's comments on a possible Border poll.

Mr Adams said the Taoiseach must now deliver on the detail and a timeframe on where a vote could take place.

The party leader said: “It has to go beyond rhetoric.”

Mr Adams insisted the reluctance by the new Secretary of State James Brokenshire to hold such a poll was irrelevant.

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Mr Adams said this was a decision to be made by the two Governments and went beyond his “pay grade”.

However he would not be drawn on when he believed such a poll should be held.

Separately, Mr Adams insisted he has no plans to step down within the next five years.

Mr Adams was responding to comments by the party’s housing spokesman Eoin O’Broin who anticipated a leadership change.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning Mr Adams said Mr O’Broin must know something he did not.

He said: “My problem is if I tell you you will tell everyone. I am not as finished as Enda (Kenny.) He did put a timeframe on it and had to claw back from it.”