Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 November 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 December 2017. It was answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2017 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Sovereignty: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to call a border poll in Northern Ireland; and if so, when.

Answer: The UK Government remains fully committed to the Belfast Agreement. This includes the obligation for the Secretary of State to call a border poll if he believes there is majority support for a united Ireland. It is, however, the Secretary of State’s view that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland continue to support the current political settlement, including Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom. As set out in the Government’s Northern Ireland manifesto at the General Election the circumstances set out in the 1998 Agreement that require a border poll on Irish unification are therefore not satisfied.

Secondary information