Ms Órfhlaith Begley:

I extend the welcome to Mr. Bassett and Professor Harvey to the committee meeting. Like Ms Gildernew, I was in Brussels for the launch of the report, and much has happened since then. Both Brexit and Covid have reshaped how people view the concept of a shared island and that has accelerated the debate and discussion on Irish unity, while also introducing a fresh urgency in regard to the need to plan and prepare. The document refers to the need for prudent and responsible planning and to the role of the Irish Government in that regard. I understand that Professor Harvey attended the launch of the shared island unit. While that is to be welcomed, the Taoiseach stated on that occasion that a referendum would not be on his agenda for the next five years and referred to it as divisive. Many referendums are, by their nature, divisive but that does not negate the need to plan and prepare.

I would like to get our guests' views on the shared island unit. How could it facilitate the discussion on preparing for a referendum and could it also be used post referendum? If a referendum were successful, how could the unit be used to transition from partition to reunification? When do those preparations and plans need to take place? I refer in particular to the role of the Irish Government.