Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has said the next Irish government needs to seriously and actively plan for Irish unity instead of merely paying lip service to it. 

Emma Sheerin said: 

“The position on Irish Unity outlined in the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael document simply does not go far enough.

“Across Ireland it is clear there is a growing demand for Irish unity. The conversation on unity is already well underway. 

“And while Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil claim to support the Good Friday Agreement, they continually run away from one of its key elements; a referendum on Irish unity. 

“Time and again it has been shown that as an island we work best when we work on an all-Ireland basis. 

“The potential of improving our economy, transforming our healthcare services and enhancing the prosperity of the entire island would be unlocked by unity.

“That is why bringing about Irish Unity ought to be a focal point of any new government. 

That means the establishment of a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish Unity, an all-island representative Citizens’ Assembly or appropriate forum to discuss and plan for Irish Unity, a White Paper on Irish Unity and to secure referenda, north and south, on Irish Unity.”