A narrow majority of Northern Irish voters want to remain in the UK, according to a new poll.
The survey, for the BBC's Spotlight programme, found 49% would choose to stay in the union if a border poll was held now.
43% would vote to join a united Ireland, and 8% are undecided.
Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Matt Carthy, believes there will be unity in the years to come.
"This poll is just another indication that the moves towards a united Ireland are happening at pace, that the conversation is taking place and that clearly lots of people are open to persuasion.
"The onus is now on those of us who want to see a united Ireland, and that includes by the way the Irish government, to start putting in place the framework, so that we can move towards organising a poll."
