Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not think many people would suggest that it be done in a non-inclusive way. The problem is that if one believes the only way we can have these conversations is when everybody is included and political unionism is at the table, that is not likely to happen in the short term because unionism, by its nature, believes in the union, which is a legitimate view held by leaders of unionism who worked alongside Sinn Féin in better times and recognised the legitimate views of nationalists, republicans and Governments in the South. I will leave it at that.

I welcome the Taoiseach's comments. I think there is further thought in this other than just figuring out the structure. The structure is not the important part of it. The important part is a discussion so that we are not talking to ourselves but instead are talking together and trying to figure out the best way to go forward because there is tricky work to be done. I agree with the Taoiseach's point. Some of the heavy lifting has been done by the Good Friday Agreement because many of the issues were resolved in terms of parity of esteem and equality. Those fundamental principles in the Good Friday Agreement will outlast any constitutional change or decision in a referendum.