Ten years after their 2016 “confidence and supply” arrangement and well into their second coalition, that old wariness still lingers between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Not as pervasive as it once was; not as tense. But there all the same.

Maybe that’s not surprising – after all, the two parties have been co-operating for only one decade; they were deadly enemies for nine. And they remain, let us not forget, electoral rivals. Fianna Fáil had the best of it last time out; Fine Gael is determined to turn the tables next time.

So when Simon Harris promised his “blueprint for a unified Ireland” last weekend, the reaction from Fianna Fáilers was pretty much the same as anytime they hear him: “What the f**k is he up to now?”

Fianna Fáilers assumed this was some effort to give Fine Gael an edge over them at the next election. There was lively chatter on the Fianna Fáil Whatsapps, with some abuse directed at Fine Gael and the usual finger-pointing at Micheál Martin, in this instance for insufficient interest in a united Ireland.

Dublin-based family murder trial hears daughter may have tried to escape noose

‘Biggest national security blunder in decades’: Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulity

‘Going from strength to strength’: Six Irish universities move up global rankings

Brand it like Beckham: how football’s most shameless shill is cashing in on the World Cup

But I find any political edge for Fine Gael hard to see here. Sure there are voters who believe that achieving a united Ireland should be a top priority. It’s just there aren’t very many of........

© The Irish Times