Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Reverend Karen and Mr. Lunn for their important contributions. Their contributions are important in the sense that often we focus on the politicians, particularly those in the DUP and Ulster Unionist Party, as representative. They remind us that unionism is not just the elected politicians of the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party, and that there is a much broader unionism that we need to speak to in the North.

The contributions of the witnesses are important in that regard.

Reference was made to the citizens' assembly. Prudent and careful planning for a referendum is inevitable. It may be five or ten years away but it is inevitable, especially with the way events in Scotland are going. This will have a significant impact on our island. We need to prepare.

My fear is some representatives of unionism insist they will not participate. Should we allow a veto on a citizens' assembly or on responsible planning for a referendum because some refuse to engage? I am keen to get the thoughts of the witnesses on that.