Mr. Niall Murphy:

The approach the Chairman has suggested is sensible. I am obliged for the invitation. I will first deal with Ms Hanna's observations. I also welcome the initiatives that have been undertaken by the SDLP in convening a forum within the party that seeks to examine, receive and test opinions on the constitutional future. The new Ireland forum is also an expression of where momentum is at and where the conversation sits. I look forward to engaging with that forum as part of our ongoing network of output.

Ms Hanna also mentioned the working group on unification referendums on the island of Ireland in University College London, UCL, and other universities. I have not read the full report but received the advance summary. After an academically robust undertaking, UCL has ostensibly arrived at the same position for which we have been advocating. Its position on the prospect of a referendum or when it would be held is wholly neutral but it considers a referendum is likely. It suggests that planning would need to start in good time before any referendum is held and that planning needs to be led by the British and Irish Governments working closely with a full range of actors across the island of Ireland and in Britain. We agree in that regard. I have no problem confirming that our analysis is consistent with that of UCL.

The university has also noted the acrimony over Brexit and highlights the dangers of calling for a vote without adequate advance planning. I do not think any person holding a view on Brexit would say the referendum was a well-informed debate on a well set out series of outcomes. Brexit was haphazard and our lived experience of what went on is a sharp and recent lesson as to how not to do referendums. I have no qualms in saying that. We are appealing for planning to commence now insofar as Ireland's future exists. UCL has done its report. The Royal Irish Academy's ARINS project is doing work. The ESRI is doing work, as is the SDLP. That is what I mean when I say the work has started.