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Mary Lou McDonald has claimed that political parties in government who are failing to prepare for a united Ireland are “living in a fool’s paradise”.

The Sinn Féin leader accused those in government who are not addressing the topic of a unified Ireland of being “extremely irresponsible”.

Speaking at the party’s think-in, taking place in Malahide, Ms McDonald said the Irish Government cannot “stall the ball” and wait for the British Government to move or act on the issue.

Later this year, Fine Gael will publish its blueprint for a united Ireland.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the party will set out the definition of a united Ireland and what it means politically, economically and socially.

When asked whether Fianna Fáil is stalling on the issue of preparing for a united Ireland, Ms McDonald said the democratic preparation has to be under way.

“I think that any political party, and particularly those in government now, if they imagine that they can forever stall and bury their head in the sand, is simply living in a fool’s paradise,” she said.

“It is now absolutely imperative that we have orderly, responsible dialogue and preparation for referendums in advance of the referendums to ensure that we can have a process that is democratic, peaceful and orderly.

“You see, it’s not simply a matter of either in London or Dublin, any individual waking up one morning, looking into their heart, (Éamon) de Valera-style, and saying, ‘I believe the referendum might be successful now’.

“That’s not the issue. The issue is long before a date is set, the democratic preparation has to be under way, and we press that case consistently.

“I am astonished at the the fact that some in government still would persist with the notion that we shouldn’t talk about this issue, that we shouldn’t prepare.

“That to me is extremely irresponsible.

“It also misses the fact that we we have, as a nation, as an island nation, a massive, massive opportunity in all of this to discuss not simply the things that we have gotten wrong in Ireland, but the ways in which we can get things right.”

Ms McDonald said the topic is being widely discussed and people are interested in it in a way she has never “witnessed before”.

“I think the government now in Dublin can’t simply stall the ball and wait for London to move or act,” she added.

“I think they need to now bear their own responsibility and begin that preparation. What do they have to lose?”