DUP leader Peter Robinson

DUP leader Peter Robinson has told his partner in Government Martin McGuinness to forget about a border poll on Northern Ireland’s future.

The First Minister told delegates at his party’s annual conference that he believes a majority of Catholics now support Northern Ireland staying within the UK.

And the east Belfast MLA said that the peace process had helped to secure Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

At the moment, Sinn Fein are pushing for a border poll or referendum on keeping the union as Scotland is.

Mr Robinson said the result would not be in doubt, and said republicans “should take the hint”.

He compared Sinn Fein’s push for a vote to “turkeys voting for Christmas”.

Mr Robinson also paid tribute to the Royal Family and said: “Long may you reign over us. God save the Queen.”

He described the two-day visit of the Queen to Northern Ireland in June, as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour, as the “high point of the year”.

On Friday, Mr Robinson told delegates that Irish cross-border relations have never been better.

He made his comments after party members had been addressed by the Republic’s Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney.

It was the first time an Irish government minister had been invited to a DUP conference.

“The very fact there was no fuss or fanfare would indicate that normalisation has taken place,” Mr Robinson said.

He said he regards the Irish Republic as “good neighbours” rather than a threat.

“Our position within the United Kingdom is not under threat – we feel confident and secure within the union and we want to have the best possible relationship with our neighbours,” the first minister added.