Conaty calls for Irish Unity Bill to be passed

Sinn Féin councillor says government must begin plans and preparations for United Ireland

Local Sinn Féin councillor, Stiofán Conaty, has said partition has failed the people of Ireland, north and south, and that the government has a historic opportunity to reunite the country.

It comes as Sinn Féin will later today (Tuesday) bring an Irish Unity Bill to the Dáil. Cllr Conaty has asked all parties to support the bill. The proposed legislation would force the Irish government to begin plans and preparations for a United Ireland.

Cllr Conaty says the process of reunification must include conversations and debates with all sections of society, including those who traditionally have opposed breaking the link with Britain.

He says that momentum is growing around Irish Unity all across the 32 counties.

Sinn Féin's Dáil bill on Tuesday follows on from numerous county and city councils around Ireland having officially and formally called on the government to begin plans and preparations.

Cavan County Council was among the first to make the move, in a motion proposed by Cllr Conaty and supported by Sinn Féin councillors Damien Brady and Noel Connell, as well as Aontú.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independent councillors did not engage with the debate at the time, a situation Cllr Conaty says must change if they want to see a United Ireland.