Paddy Power has slashed the odds on reunification within five years as research shows Ireland could be heading for a referendum

One Irish politician had lodged a bet with Paddy Power saying that Ireland will be united within five years.

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On January 21, Senator Mark Daly shared on his Facebook that he placed a €50 bet on ‘United Ireland by January 1, 2024.’

On this the 100th anniversary of the 1st meeting of Dáil Éireann the parliament of the whole island Paddy Power gave me odds of 20/1 on a United Ireland by 2024

Publiée par Mark Daly sur Lundi 21 janvier 2019

Senator Daly noted that he placed his bet the same week of the 100th anniversary of the first meeting of the Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament) in Ireland.

“On this the 100th anniversary of the 1st meeting of Dáil Éireann the parliament of the whole island Paddy Power gave me odds of 20/1 on a United Ireland by 2024,” Senator Daly wrote on Facebook.

Read More: Support for united Ireland jumps as no-deal Brexit risk draws near

On February 2, the Irish senator shared that the odds had been "slashed" by Paddy Power to 15/2:

‪Since 21st January when I placed the bet, Paddy Power has slashed the odds on Irish Unification to pass before 1st Jan 2024.‬ ‪2 weeks ago the odds were 20/1, but today they are 15/2‬ ‪ ‬

Publiée par Senator Mark Daly sur Samedi 2 février 2019

Senator Daly has been conducting research in conjunction with UNESCO regarding the possibility of a reunification referendum, particularly in the wake of Brexit.

On Twitter, the senator pointed to separate poll from Lucid Talk, a UK-based market research firm, that found a majority of people in Northern Ireland believe Brexit is making a united Ireland more likely:

60% of people in Northern Ireland believe that Brexit makes it more likely that Northern Ireland will vote to become part of a United Ireland in the next 10 Years @rtenews @VirginMediaNews @IrishTimes @IrishCentral @Independent_ie @irishexaminer @IrishEcho pic.twitter.com/2VdnKEn3Gk

— Senator Mark Daly (@SenatorMarkDaly) January 26, 2019

Read More: Irish unity poll likely, say British ministers, if a hard Brexit happens

On February 16, the Irish senator shared to Facebook that in his research, 55 percent of those surveyed said there would be a referendum on Irish reunification within 10 years.

55% of people in the republic believe there will be a referendum on a United Ireland with in 10 years according to my latest tracking polls

Publiée par Mark Daly sur Samedi 16 février 2019

A strong majority believe that the Republic of Ireland should establish an All-Ireland citizens assembly:

70% of people in the Republic believe the government should establish an All-Island citizens assembly according to my latest tracking poll #think32 pic.twitter.com/lHnKqABPNP

— Senator Mark Daly (@SenatorMarkDaly) February 16, 2019 

Additionally, the research showed that a majority of people surveyed believe the government should be working with Unionists to address their fears & concerns about a United Ireland:

66% of people in the Republic believe the government should be working with Unionist to address their fears & concerns about a United Ireland #think32 pic.twitter.com/vbn7WA1Unc

— Senator Mark Daly (@SenatorMarkDaly) February 16, 2019

In the reporting, one professor stated: “In anticipation of a future referendum on unification and a new Ireland, regardless of when this emerges, program and policymakers need to establish a basis for cross-society interaction, integrated schooling, and integrated existences (housing, work, and other settings).”

“It is only through this sort of interaction, communication, and experience sharing that all sides realize common, general needs as well as the fact that they have nothing to fear from the ‘other’ side.”

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Do you think a referendum regarding Irish reunification is imminent? Let us know in the comments