Northern Ireland's First Minister has said it is "reckless" to be focused on a referendum on the border during the pandemic.
DUP leader Arlene Foster says people in the North want politicians to deal with COVID-19 and saving lives as a priority.
Her comments come after a survey found 50.7% of voters in Northern Ireland want a referendum on the reunification of Ireland in the next five years.
The Sunday Times poll also found 47% would vote to remain in the United Kingdom, while 42% would support a united Ireland.
A fifth of voters in England are in favour, with 37% "not bothered" and just under a third saying it would upset them.
The survey also found that in Scotland, 49% backed independence compared to 44% against.
Pretty striking results in a Sunday Times/LucidTalk poll tomorrow… a majority of voters in NI want a unity referendum in the next five years (even if they don’t necessity want unity).
Scotland also firmly now in the Indyref2 camp as well…https://t.co/Ns0iuIWXBo pic.twitter.com/DJH7iTAHNN— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) January 23, 2021
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill commented that "an unstoppable conversation" is underway.
However, speaking to Sky News, Ms Foster said it was “very disappointing” to see some nationalist parties across the UK during a time of national crisis "trying to take the opportunity to talk about constitutional politics.
“We all know how divisive a border poll would be,” she added.
“For us in Northern Ireland, what we have to do is all come together to fight against COVID and not be distracted by what would be absolutely reckless at this time.
“Nobody is suggesting, not even this poll is suggesting, that we would lose if there was a border poll. But it would be incredibly divisive."
The SDLP said the United Kingdom is "coming to an end", with party leader Colum Eastwood adding that difficult conversations need to start sooner rather than later.
He said: "It's a huge story, it's what we've been saying.
"If you look at the polls in Scotland over the past while, the fact of Brexit, the fact of COVID, and the changing attitudes in the North, I think it's absolutely clear now that the UK is coming to an end.
"There's a huge responsibility on those of us who want to see change to manage that, and to do it in such a way that it's based on reconciliation and partnership."
