22 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleGabija GataveckaiteDublin Correspondent, BBC News NI
BBCSinn Féin have brought forward laws for a Citizens’ Assembly on Irish unity in the Republic of Ireland.
A Citizens’ Assembly is made up of 99 citizens and a moderator, usually an expert, which discuss a topic in depth and then report back to the Irish government.
Previous citizens’ assemblies have been held in the Republic over abortion laws and the future of drug policy in Ireland.
On Tuesday, Sinn Féin will bring forward legislation in the Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) which they say helps with “planning and preparation” for a United Ireland.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said it is a matter of “when, not if” a border poll is held and urged the Irish government to begin preparations now.
The laws also make way for the Irish government to publish a Green Paper on preparation for constitutional change, which would cover topics from the economy to health and housing.
The legislation would also put an onus on the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) to consult with unionist and Protestant representatives, as well as civil society groups, all “political traditions, experts and underrepresented groups”.
The Irish government initially planned to have a counter motion against the Sinn Féin law, but will now oppose it in the Dail without a counter motion.
This means the Sinn Féin laws will be voted on in the Dail but are expected to not pass. Cabinet ministers made the decision at a virtual Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
It is understood the Irish government has concerns about the timing, with a government source pointing to work being done on strengthening ties with the British government and the Shared Island initiative.
A wide contingent of Sinn Féin politicians, including Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, as well as Stormont ministers and MLAs (assembly members), are visiting Leinster House in Dublin in support of the laws being brought forward.
McDonald said now is the time to bring forward these laws as all first ministers in the devolved governments (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), are nationalist.
“We ask the government to prepare for opportunity, we have the space now, we have the time, we’re about halfway through the electoral cycle in this jurisdiction,” McDonald told reporters at Leinster House.
“The message and the vibe across the Dáil from members of Fianna Fáil, members of Fine Gael and others is that they see good sense of this legislation, they’re all for Irish unity
“They recognise that preparation needs to happen.”
Fine Gael in recent weeks said it would work on creating its own blueprint for Irish unity and this is expected to be finished by November.
Ireland–UK borderRepublic of IrelandEuropeSinn Féin
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