Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said preparations for a referendum on constitutional change must be stepped up to allow for an informed debate on Irish unity. 

John Finucane said: 

“The conversation on a new Ireland is already well underway and now there is a need to formally and practically start preparations for a referendum on constitutional change. 

“We want to have an informed, reasoned and mature debate on what a new Ireland will look like and how it can be achieved and that requires preparation. 

“Now is the time for those preparations to begin in earnest. 

“That is also the view on the way forward in a report published today by the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland. 

“In particular, the Irish government needs to step up its preparations by convening a citizen’s assembly on Irish unity which is inclusive of the entire island, setting up a joint Oireachtas committee on Irish unity, and publishing a white paper on the issue.”