Government told to prepare for unification

The government is being urged to plan and prepare for the reunification of Ireland by setting up an all-island Citizens’ Assembly and a Joint Oireachtas Committee to produce and publish a plan towards Irish unity.

The setting up of the two bodies, says Sinn Féin’s Stiofán Conaty, would be an “important first step” and should include the input of civic society and key stakeholders, including local government.

“The Irish government has a constitutional obligation to prepare for reunification and for the referendum that would enable it,” said Cllr Conaty, speaking at the July meeting of Cavan County Council.

The reunification of Ireland, he reminded, is an objective of Bunreacht na hÉireann and he went on to stated that there is “growing national and international discussion and momentum” around such a constitutional change.

Involved in that is a greater number of people from “diverse backgrounds” who may previously have “rejected the notion or been reluctant to engage in the debate”, but are now more open to “exploring and open to the possibility” of a united Ireland.

“Partition continues to perpetuate many of the challenges facing the people of Ireland, and nowhere has suffered the adverse effects of this unnatural border on our island more so than this region. County Cavan and especially the area where I am from, and westwards along the county line with Fermanagh, was cut from its natural geographical, political, social and economic hinterland. We have suffered the consequences for generations, and will continue to do so until partition is ended.

“Reuniting the peoples of this island offers an unparalleled opportunity to unlock Ireland’s full potential and to foster prosperity for everyone,” continued Cllr Conaty, citing recent independent reports that show “the old myth about the 26 counties not being able to afford unity with the six counties is total and utter nonsense. Integration will cost an estimated €3bn in the first year, and over only a few years, Irish Unity will in fact result in a massive net economic benefit for the whole island, north and south, east and west. €3bn is less than this year’s budget surplus and would be a cheap price to pay to make a divided nation whole again.”

“Change” Cllr Conaty told his fellow elected members is “already in motion, and the call for a Referendum is growing stronger by the day. This means that plans and preparations must start now.”

A Referendum on Irish unity Cllr Conaty believes is both “attainable and winnable and it is no longer just an aspiration; it is a distinct possibility” with the likes of former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar weighing positively into the debate. “It is a practical and achievable goal. It is the next logical step on our nation’s journey through history, and we are the generation that can achieve it. If Brexit and the ill-planned referendum and chaotic fall-out there can teach us anything, it is that we need to plan and prepare well in advance for Irish Unity and to start to think about what it will look like.”

His party colleague, Damien Brady, who backed the call said the demand for unification needed to be heard “loud and clear”.