Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has said the outcome of next week’s Scottish independence referendum could have "profound implications" for Northern Ireland as a new poll gives a boost to the No side.
Speaking at his party's 'think-in' at Termonfeckin in Co Louth, the Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister said that if Scotland got the power to set its social welfare rates, this could have "very huge implications" indeed.
Mr McGuinness said that while he had taken a conscious decision to stay out of the debate, a Yes vote would be a very big decision.
Referring to promises of more autonomy for Scotland in the event of a No vote, he said that he would be making "very strong arguments" if Scotland got the power to set its social welfare rates.
"Whatever way it goes, there are all sorts of implications for the rest of Ireland," he said.
A new YouGov poll released tonight for The Sun and The Times gave a boost to the No side.
The survey showed the pro-union No campaign ahead by four points on 52% support, compared to 48% who were in favour of independence, excluding respondents who picked "don't know".
The poll showed a three-point drop for the Yes side and three-point rise for the No side from the previous YouGov poll, which had shown the Yes side in the lead for the first time.
The survey questioned 1,268 voters between Tuesday and Thursday.
"This is the first time No has gained ground since early August," YouGov President Peter Kellner said in a commentary. "Although No is back in front, the Yes campaign has held on to most of its gains since early August."
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has said a decision by Scotland to break away from the UK could prompt negative market reaction in the short-term.
IMF spokesman Bill Murray said the main immediate effect is likely to be uncertainty "over the transition to potentially new and different monetary, financial and fiscal frameworks in Scotland".
"Longer-term effects would depend on the decisions being made during the transition," he added.
First Minister Alex Salmond said Scotland was on the "cusp of making history" by voting for independence.
Mr Salmond said the eyes of the world were on Scotland, as he addressed an audience of international journalists in Edinburgh exactly 17 years since the country voted Yes to devolution.
Vowing that Scots "will vote Yes" in seven days' time, he attacked the No camp for being in "terminal decline" the day after the leaders of three main UK parties travelled north of the border in a bid to save the union.
Mr Salmond said: "What the world is seeing is an articulate, peaceful, energised debate.
"Scotland will vote Yes next Thursday and they will vote Yes because last-minute, cobbled-up promises from the No campaign, which unravel at the slightest scrutiny will not fool anyone in this country and neither will the blatant bullying and intimidation of the Westminster government.
"The No campaign is in terminal decline. In contrast a Yes vote is the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity to build a fairer more prosperous country."
The latest poll for the Daily Record puts support for the union at 53% and backing for independence on 47%, when undecided voters are excluded.
Bank threatens move
Meanwhile, Royal Bank of Scotland has said it plans to re-domicile its holding company in England if Scotland votes for independence.
It comes after it emerged that banking giant Lloyds has put in place contingency plans in case of a 'Yes' vote.
Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has plans that include shifting its company registration to England if the Yes campaign wins.
