A united Ireland is as far away as ever – and, after this week, it may even be a bit further away than it used to be.

That’s the inevitable conclusion from a recent series of announcements and events which indicate that despite all the talk about Irish unity, the border looks as permanent as ever.

Two big announcements last week showed that most of that talking is just political posturing.

First, Leo Varadkar said that all political parties in the south should include Irish unity as an objective in their election manifestos.

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It is hard to see what difference that would make.

Then Mary Lou McDonald said that if Sinn Féin enters government in Dublin, it will appoint a Minister for Reunification.

What more could you want than a sort of modern-day Cú Chulainn who, with daring political feats, will single-handedly unite Ireland?

There is just one slight problem, which neither mentioned. What exactly is a united Ireland?

It has always meant a 32-county independent state, as advocated by Wolfe Tone and the 1916 Proclamation.

That was until Sinn........

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