Taoiseach says new initiative needed for defining debate on Irish unity

A new initiative is required to challenge all traditions to engage with “hard evidence” on different constitutional frameworks around unity, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin said a new approach would first “define what needs to be known” so that people can engage in “informed debate” about proposals for the future.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the Taoiseach to prepare for constitutional change, describing the Government as a barrier to Irish unity.

On Wednesday, Mr Martin said recent commentary on unity had “rarely involved the hard work of pointing to complexity, uncertainty and tough choices”.

He said the recent stand-off over the Drumcree parade has “reminded us of the fragility of progress”, but added: “Equally, we should not ignore reasons for hope.”

He further criticised rhetoric around the “inevitability” of Irish unification as “implicitly side-lining persuasion or change as prerequisites” for the constitutional change.

He said this has a “sense of the old historical mistake being repeated”, adding: “Where nationalists gather together to agree how right we are and how everything will be fine.”

The Fianna Fáil leader set out what he sees as three core elements in how to proceed – including separating debates on unity from North-South action that needs to be taken “irrespective of votes on constitutional futures”, as well as reforms of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.

He said he was “very conscious” that governments in past decades regularly refused to “get involved in escalating controversies and did not see the news cycle as defining their work”.

Mr Martin outlined his third element as “action to define and develop a rigorous, independent and dispassionate base of knowledge on which you can have a credible discussion about constitutional futures”.

He said: “A new initiative is required to do the significant work required.

“This must ensure that the public has access to independent, trustworthy and comprehensive information about the practical implications, legal, social, economic, cultural and political of different possible constitutional frameworks.”

Mr Martin contended that one-sided information campaigns which “avoid genuinely tough questions” such as financial costs “undermines the case being made”.

He said there was “a new approach” which enjoy cross-community support while “framing an evidence base on what is involved in a new constitutional framework”.

Speaking at a book launch, Mr Martin said he would discuss his proposal more comprehensively in the future but added: “Action would, in the first instance, be about defining what needs to be known so that people can design and engage in informed debate about their proposals for the future.

“This new approach would provide a good faith opportunity for those outside the nationalist tradition to participate.

“Critically, it would challenge all traditions to move from making general assertions about the future to engaging with hard evidence.

“After a century of divergence, we have enormous gaps in our knowledge about the challenges of a new constitutional future – and we have to be far more open to acknowledging the changes required of us.”

Mr Martin’s comments come as Fianna Fáil’s coalition partner also prepares to outline its plans for Irish unification.

Tánaiste and leader of Fine Gael Simon Harris announced earlier this year that his party will launch a “blueprint” for Irish unity in November.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump claimed Irish reunification as inevitable, telling reporters during his visit to Dublin that it “may as well happen now”.