Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a comment more than a question. I hear and understand the concerns about the lack of unionist voices, especially in this committee. I understand, politically, why that is, but I am also very aware that I have spoken to many unionists, particularly from civic society, who want to have this conversation. Mr. Ian Marshall was a Member of the last Seanad and is a wonderful spokesperson for unionism. I again nominated him for the Seanad election and he will, it is hoped, get elected.

I have spoken to many unionists. I remember attending the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Belfast at which the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, spoke, and a unionist sitting on a panel at that event said nobody had talked to him about what a new Ireland would look like even though he was open to the conversation. I know there are unionists, all from civic society, who want to come in and talk to this committee. Since I work in another area, I have worked with unionists from civic society in Belfast as part of my charity work. Unionists want to have a conversation. They want to know what health, education and housing will look like in a new Ireland. These are the questions they want to know about.

I know many of the voices the witnesses have talked about are from political unionism, but it would be great if we could bring in more unionists from civic society to talk about what it is like for them. Ian Marshall is one of those people. He is a wonderful man and I have heard him speak many times on behalf of the unionist voice. I wanted to make that comment. I agree we need to bring more unionist voices to our committee, in particular. However, maybe we could look at bringing in more unionists from civic society just to hear what their thinking is and, particularly, what their fears are. That is very important.