Will the next Irish referendum in the south be to see how many are open to a united Ireland?

I sincerly hope so. Let a united Ireland rule themselves

It will be the people of Northern Ireland who will decide on a united Ireland.

In the Good Friday Agreement the participants recognized:

…that it is for the people of the island of Ireland alone, by agreement between the two parts respectively and without external impediment, to exercise their right of self-determination on the basis of consent, freely and concurrently given, North and South, to bring about a united Ireland, if that is their wish, accepting that this right must be achieved and exercised with and subject to the agreement and consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland…

In effect, this strongly suggests to me that a referendum in both Irish jurisdictions would be necessary to unite the island under a single government. The polls and election results over the last few years suggest to me that this might occur within this UK parliament; in other words by 2021.

That well be the picture in ten years time.

What would be the point? It's the UK and Northern Ireland that decide on that. Not the people in the Irish Republic.

There has been no large public support for such a referendum, as was the case with gay marriage and abortion.

The last major poll in the Republic came up with the following results.

Asked "In the short to medium term, do you think Northern Ireland should…

35% voted to; Remain part of the UK, with a devolved assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland (the current situation)

36% voted to; Unify with the rest of Ireland

The same poll also asked "Thinking of the long-term policy for Northern Ireland, would you like to see a united Ireland in your lifetime?" with the following responses

Yes – would like to see a united Ireland in my lifetime 66%

No – would not like to see a united Ireland in my lifetime

With 20% undecided.

So I don't think we will see any such referendum in the near future, however following the impact on both sides of the border after the UK leave the EU, they may change this on both sides of the border.

Nathan is back again

I thought Ireland wanted to be made whole again, why would they need a referendum in the south? It's the anachronisms in the north who need to be dragged into the 21st century. Even the 20th would be an inprovement.

Yes hopefully so

At least that will be a just referendum not slaughter on tap