Mr. Campbell Scott:

I thank the committee for the invitation to speak. I am not here to represent any specific community. I am not affiliated to any political organisation. My views are my own. I feel my life's journey, from being born a British subject in a loyalist community in Belfast through to becoming a proud citizen of the Irish Republic, gives me some life experience that might help in the opportunities and challenges we face in the coming years. We have an unequalled opportunity to create a society that can be rich in its diversity and inclusivity, that has a strong economy and that is innovative; a place in which people can thrive and prosper.

My dream is that my unionist family and friends will find that society desirable and, at least, an acceptable place for them to live and thrive. I have grave concerns, however. Mr. Cushnahan spoke about 50%+1. The demographics suggest we are within touching distance of gaining a border poll but that creates a significant problem in terms of those unionists who will not accept simple democracy. That could have the real threat of returning us to dark days of conflict that we have tried to avoid. This dialogue is important and it needs to be supercharged so that we can get these civil assemblies. In the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement there was significant dialogue on a one-to-one basis or within community groups that helped to break down some of these barriers.

I have no set views or expertise on the constitutional structures. I probably favour unity. There is a dysfunctional government in the North at the moment. There are a few potential compromises and other areas to consider. I refer to the issue of defunding religious education. There has been great work in integrated education and that is growing slowly but it is too little and too slow. Governments, North and South, have the purse strings to defund that religious education. We can mandate that schools have to be non-religious. To me, that is probably the single biggest barrier to creating an integrated society. I did not meet a catholic until I was 16 and had left school. That still happens today. As regards the Irish language, I am a supporter of Irish language education but I know it is not going to be acceptable to unionists who join a new Ireland. In addition, the current structure in the Republic means that we do not tap into the 13% of non-residents who could be part of that teaching capacity. That would be much more diverse and rich.

On health, in the Republic there is a need to remove all religious patronage from the health service.

The issue of flags and emblems has been raised. I am now proud to respect the Tricolour and sing Amhrán na bhFiann but during the Troubles they were paraded as the war emblems of terrorists. I know that they will not be acceptable to my fellow unionists and friends. The trigger that encouraged me to become an Irish citizen was the constitutional change in 1998, to which reference has been made. Articles 2 and 3 being changed was a signal to me to accept my Irish citizenship. Previously, those articles had been used as justification for killing and maiming people.

Some of these suggestions may not seem acceptable but a process of unification that is going to gain the will of the many will need such compromises. We will develop a stronger, richer and more inclusive society and economy as a result. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.