Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has welcomed all party consensus on planning for Irish unity. 

She was speaking ahead of the launch of the new report from the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which deals with the Perspectives on Constitutional Change, specifically related to Finance and Economics.

Teachta Conway-Walsh thanked the range of organisations and individuals who made submissions over the last 14 months which built into a timely and comprehensive analysis of the potential and challenges of reunification on the island of Ireland.

The report recommends the establishment of a designated Joint Oireachtas Committee and government department to take responsibility for planning and preparation for constitutional change. 

It also recommends setting up citizens’ assemblies and other relevant forums to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive process that allows all voices with a stake in Ireland’s future to be heard. There is cross-party agreement to the broad range of recommendations in the report.

Noting that the committee concluded that, ‘the economic success of a future United Ireland is in our own hands’ and that, ‘there are no insurmountable barriers to Irish reunification’, Teachta Conway-Walsh said:

“Across Ireland, there is a growing, positive and inclusive conversation taking place about the benefits that Irish unity would bring to all communities. Planning for constitutional change is the sensible thing to do. Government should do so without delay.

“We must act on implementing the report’s recommendations which include a call on Government to prepare and publish a Green Paper “setting out a vision for a united Ireland”. The recommendation that there should be consultation with all political parties, North and South, is critical and work on this should begin now.

“The report also identifies a key number of infrastructure and administrative actions that could be taken now. These include the upgrading of the A5, the creation of an all-island electricity market, joint action on climate change and reducing barriers across the education sector.

“The report’s recommendations also highlight the potential for new all Ireland 21st Century welfare provisions that would be rooted in respect for socio-economic rights, taking greater account of the needs of carers and children.

“The need to begin the planning and preparation for potential constitutional change was also a recommendation of the committee. The report recommends a whole government approach to this and with comprehensive examination of the implications of constitutional change across not just all departments of government but all state agencies also.

“The Committee has also recommended the need for government departments to examine key aspects of the all island economy such as taxation, welfare, pensions and the challenges to the island economy post Brexit.

“The economic and social success of a United Ireland is in our own hands, and we need to act across the political and social spectrum to make the most of this opportunity.

“It’s time to start planning and preparing for Irish unity now.”