Research examined likely outcome of any Border poll.
New polls out show a large majority in the North are against a United Ireland.
That's in contrast with voters south of the border, who are more than four to one in favour of unity.
However majorities in both jurisdictions believe referendums on the issue should be held.
The findings are contained in twin surveys carried out north and south of the border for the Irish Times and the ARINS project.
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie isn't surprised.