Sinn Féin has tabled a Dáil motion calling on the Irish Government to plan and prepare for a United Ireland. The motion will be debated on Tuesday evening.
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD described reunification as “a historic opportunity and the very best idea for the future of Ireland”.
She recognised the expressions of support from both presidential candidates for reunification and how they would use their presidency to advance toward a United Ireland.
Ms McDonald said: , “I believe that we are on the final length of the journey to reunification. There is an ever-increasing onus on the government to do the political, economic and social groundwork for a successful transition to a United Ireland.
“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we are challenged to build on the chapter of peace and write the chapter of reunification.
“This is a positive and exciting time in our national journey. Inch by inch, we are getting closer to a United Ireland. The conversation on Irish Unity is live, happening in real time with great enthusiasm, especially amongst our young people.
“We can see that the ambition of a new and United Ireland is a major theme of this presidential election campaign. Both candidates have expressed their hopes for reunification, how they would reach out to the unionist community and outlining how they would work to progress Irish Unity during their term as president. This is a good thing as the unity conversation belongs to everyone regardless of political persuasion, background or tradition.
“I also welcome recent comments made by the Executive Justice Minister and Alliance Party Leader, Naomi Long, in which she called on the British Government to make clear the criteria for the calling of a unity referendum.
“The momentum is building. The people of Ireland and civic society groups are extremely engaged in the political, social and economic issues that must be addressed on the pathway to unity. The direction and pace of travel point firmly towards unity.
“There is an onus on everybody, but particularly on those in political leadership to plan for Ireland’s future and to seize with enthusiasm the immense opportunity that reunification offers all of our people.
“What we need now is for the Irish Government to show the same level of engagement and to do the groundwork necessary to build a successful transition to reunification in our time. The government must plan and prepare for unity today. That means establishing an all-island Citizens Assembly on a United Ireland, producing a plan toward Irish Unity and working to secure a date for Unity referendums as provided for by the Good Friday Agreement.
“Our motion is about challenging the Irish Government to step up to the plate, to become persuaders for unity, and to demonstrate the responsible, mature and ambitious leadership required to achieve our future in a United Ireland.”
