Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has said that it is crucial that a feminist analysis is brought to the current discussion on the constitutional future.

The Mayo TD made her remarks following the launch of the National Women’s Council report ‘The Women’s Assembly: A Shared Feminist Future’ this week.

The Women’s Assembly was chaired by former President, Mary McAleese, and funded by St Stephen’s Green Trust.

Teachta Conway-Walsh said:

“I welcome the work the National Women’s Council is undertaking regarding the constitutional future and it was encouraging to hear from some of the women who participated in their Women’s Assembly. The issues which were raised by participants are similar to issues raised in other deliberative forums such as the Good Friday Agreement Committee, the Belfast Women’s Assembly and the Women’s Charter.

“It is imperative that the experiences, needs, and vision of women North and South are front and centre of all discussions about shaping the future of the island we live on. We all need to move forward together to grasp this unique space to influence the social, economic and political changes that are happening. I am delighted that the NWCI are facilitating these discussions and I look forward to working with them in the future on the issue of constitutional change.

“This initiative from the NWCI complements work being undertaken by other women and higher educational institutes such as ‘The Women’s Charter for Inclusive Constitutional Futures’, produced by Professor Fidelma Ashe, the ‘Gendering Constitutional Debates’ research published by Scholar Emeritus at Ulster University, Eilish Rooney and the deliberative cafes led by Dr Shelley Deane, DCU and Joanne McEvoy, Aberdeen University being held in Mayo, Longford and Tyrone.

“I believe that the constitutional discussion is moving from dialog to action and I am enthused by what we can achieve together and how we can work on our shared values while respecting and understanding our differences.

“Again, I urge the Irish government to begin the detailed and comprehensive planning necessary for a referendum on Irish Unity. Cross-party agreement was reached on the Good Friday Implementation Committee for the ‘setting up of a central portal in the Department of the Taoiseach where all research carried out regarding the constitutional future is contained and accessible to all’.

“This is to encourage an exchange of learning, to co-ordinate initiatives, ensuring additionality and avoiding duplication. We have an opportunity to design a fairer, more equal society. We must invest in these initiatives and ensure that the hopes and dreams of the women who participate are realised in a new constitutional future.”