Irish Examiner view: More than a majority is necessary

A poll on Irish reunification

If Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish National Party wins a majority in May’s Holyrood elections it will energise discussions around a reunification referendum in Ireland. Picture: David Young/PA Wire

Nicola Sturgeon’s promise that the Edinburgh parliament will facilitate a referendum on Scottish independence if her Scottish National Party wins a majority in May’s Holyrood elections energises discussions around a reunification referendum in Ireland. 

Those talks will intensify further, if, as is anticipated, the SNP is given a mandate equal to that promise. There are, however, significant differences in the rules of engagement. Ms Sturgeon is free to offer Scots a vote on their future, despite Westminster’s opposition. That latitude is not available to Stormont’s politicians.