Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to speak again to our two esteemed witnesses. This is an important report. It is important to highlight that it is an academic research tool to assist the discussion on the importance of planning and preparing for constitutional change. There is no doubt that many people have said we need to do more work on this. That is important to say.

I believe those in civic society are doing great work on this. Ireland's Future is an organisation committed to planning and preparing for constitutional change. It is a rights-based organisation created to protect the civil and religious liberties of all traditions and identities in Ireland in a spirit of mutual respect. That is the basis of the organisation. I believe that more work is required from the Government and people within political and elected leadership. That is important.

I am keen to get the thoughts of our two witnesses. We know there is a desire for a border poll following The Sunday Timessurvey recently in February. It reported that 51% of the people in the North supported a border poll being held within five years. My concern is that this does not reflect the State's readiness or willingness to openly discuss the possibility of a referendum. What more could parliamentarians do to promote productive discussion and conversations on facilitating a border poll and referendum? Those in civic society, including Ireland's Future, are having these discussions. Plenty of events have taken place and another is due to take place this Thursday on the economy. That is the reality. People want to know. My family live in north Antrim. These are the questions they want answered. They want to know about the impact on health, housing and education and what a new Ireland would look like.

These conversations are already happening. They are happening around the kitchen table all of the time. I welcomed last night's discussion. It was a very vibrant and healthy discussion.

The question I want to ask is how we, as parliamentarians, can promote productive discussions and conversations around facilitating a referendum? I have to say I am concerned, and in saying so I have to highlight the importance of planning and preparing, that at any time, the Secretary of State could call a border poll and we would not be ready. That is my biggest concern. That is why it is important for this committee to write to the Secretary of State also. I hope that is okay.