The Ulster Unionist leader and Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr David Trimble, has provoked a political and diplomatic quarrel after he described the Republic as a "pathetic, sectarian" State.
Mr Trimble made his comments at the Ulster Unionist Council meeting in Belfast on Saturday where he was re-elected unopposed as Ulster Unionist leader.
In a scripted speech he called for a border poll to coincide with the May 2003 Assembly elections to test whether a majority in Northern Ireland favoured a united Ireland or maintaining the union with Britain.
He said the Union was strong and never more respected. "Contrast the United Kingdom state - a vibrant multi-ethnic, multi-national liberal democracy, the fourth largest economy in the world, the most reliable ally of the United States in the fight against international terrorism - with the pathetic sectarian, mono-ethnic, mono-cultural State to our south."
At a press conference afterwards on Saturday he was adamant that he was correct in his opinion.
It was "self-evident" that the Republic was as he described, he said, while refusing requests to provide evidence for his attack.
"This is the reality of the nature of the State [the Republic] and I think people should be aware of that, and should not hide away from it. Sometimes in politics harsh words are said, but that is life," he said.
"Sometimes we have to hold up a mirror to life."
One reporter asked him to provide evidence of his assertion about the Republic.
"Maybe you should go there and look at it," he said. "I am basing it on the nature of the society that is there. I think this is a self-evident fact."
He denied there was any trace of xenophobia in his remarks. "There is nothing xenophobic in our tradition or outlook We are proud to be part of a power that has interests around the globe."
Mr Trimble did not accept that his remarks would antagonise the body of Catholics in the North whom he believes would vote to maintain the Union.
"A lot of Northern nationalists themselves realise that there are significant limitations in the society to the south of us," he said.
"I think that is the reason why a significant proportion of people who would be culturally nationalist will, in the Border poll, put their vote for the United Kingdom."
