A united Ireland is just 12 years away, according to senior Sinn Féin member Mr Pat Doherty.
Mr Doherty believes the move could be supported by Protestants disillusioned by the fruits of 80 years' opposition to closer ties with the Republic.
|
"The dynamics are in place in so many quarters. A new big picture is emerging," Mr Doherty said in an interview with the news agency
Reuters
.
"I have no doubt we are in a phase of Irish reunification. It will be 12 years' time," said Mr Doherty, an MP for West Tyrone and a Sinn Féin vice president since 1988.
By law, there must be a referendum if a majority of Northern Ireland's population wants to become part of the Republic.
But Catholics are not forecast to form a majority in the North for at least 20 years.
Instead, Doherty hopes for support from Protestants who feel let down by unionist politicians, and says everyone in Northern Ireland would gain from reform of the police and judiciary.
He added that in the past two years, Sinn Féin had put more energy into engaging with Protestants, seeing some growth in mutual trust.
"It's starting slowly. But the peace process was also slow in starting," Mr Doherty said.