The next leader of the Irish government, Simon Harris, said that he does not currently prioritize a united Ireland, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Harris, who is due to be appointed on Tuesday following the resignation of Leo Varadkar last month, said it was more important to focus on economic cooperation between North and South.
Asked if he shared his predecessor's view that he would see a united Ireland, Harris said: “I would like to see a united Ireland, but that is not my priority at the moment.
Harris was recently elected as the new leader of the Fine Gael party, which is holding its annual conference this weekend.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the forum in Galway city, he said: “The priority at the moment must be to use the potential of the Good Friday Agreement”.
„We live in a country where we have had one of the most successful and lasting peace processes, but I think it is fair to say that peace is still frosty,” added the prime minister-designate.
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„I don't think we have yet seen the full potential of this in terms of economic prosperity, in terms of the North-South economy, in terms of areas of cooperation.“
Harris noted that he did not want to say anything provocative, adding: “I am someone who would like to see a united Ireland, that is a legitimate political aspiration for me. But at the moment I think the priority should be integrating the institutions of the North, supporting the Northern Ireland Executive, using the Shared Fund to achieve real practical areas of co-operation.“