Taoiseach responds to Irish unity motion passed by Waterford councillors

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has responded to a motion on Irish unity passed by Waterford City and County Council.

The motion, which was passed at the council’s December plenary meeting, called for the establishment of an all-island citizens’ assembly.

It also pressed the Government to publish a clear plan towards Irish unity and establish a Joint Oireachtas Committee to discuss the matter.

In a written response to the motion, the Taoiseach said that the Government has no plans to establish a citizens’ assembly.

Deputy Martin wrote: “The Government respects and affirms everyone’s right on this island to make the case for the constitutional future for Northern Ireland they wish to see – whether they are nationalist, unionist or do not identify with either tradition.

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“A citizens’ assembly on the Good Friday Agreement constitutional provisions is not planned.

“In the event of a future referendum within the consent provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government would make all necessary preparations in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and the procedures of the agreement.”

However, he went on to highlight how the Programme for Government aims to progress Irish unity.

“The Programme for Government affirms the Government’s commitment to the unity of the Irish people, and to a sustained focus on and investment in reconciliation, developing the three sets of relationships recognised in the Good Friday Agreement to unlock the full potential of our island.

“Through programmes such as the Shared Island Initiative, the Government is moving forward with the vital task of building a lasting reconciliation between all communities on this island.

“This is backed by the Government’s Shared Island Fund, now a €2 billion commitment out to 2035, through which the largest ever programme of all-island investment across all sectors is being taken forward, to build a more connected island, in terms of infrastructure, services, our economy and crucially between people.”

The Taoiseach also outlined a number of initiatives that look to promote development on both sides of the border.

“On 18 November, as part of the National Development Plan Review, I published the Government’s Shared Island investment priorities across virtually all sectors out to 2035.

“With over €600 million now allocated from the Shared Island Fund to more than 35 projects and programmes, the Government is taking sustained, strategic action and investment to improve people’s lives and strengthen connections across the island of Ireland for our shared future.

“Last April, I also announced a new dimension to the Initiative - the ‘Shared Home Place’ programme - to commence this year and be open to people from every corner of the island to build new connections through our place-based heritage.”

He concluded by saying that these programmes look to embrace all traditions across the island of Ireland.