Protestants in Northern Ireland need to be persuaded of the logic of a united Ireland, a senior SDLP politician acknowledged today.
Despite a relatively peaceful July 12th, senior SDLP negotiator Mr Alban Maginness said last weekend's Orange marches underlined the gulf of distrust between unionists and nationalists.
The challenge facing nationalists, he claimed, would be to persuade unionists of the merits of a united Ireland instead of relying on population change to achieve it.
The north Belfast councillor said: "It is right at this time to reflect on how we, as nationalists, are going to bring about a united Irish people.
"Under the Agreement, that requires a majority in the North in favour - not a majority of unionists, not a majority of nationalists, but a simple majority in the North.
"It is clear from the last census that democracy rather than demographics will resolve the problem of division.
"The challenge for the SDLP, as well as other thinking nationalists and republicans, is to persuade a significant section of the Protestant community as to the opportunities of a united Ireland," he said.