Miss Karen Jardine:

I thank the committee for the invitation to speak to it. We all know there is little value in those enthusiastic about new constitutional arrangements just having conversations among themselves.

Others must be involved. It is not even enough for the invitation list to be inclusive. The nature and construct of those meetings also need to be inclusive. I think something is being modelled here in respect of these proceedings and the work being done in hearing from different folk, especially in today's meeting. Some of the questions to be asked might be different, but there is a model here for us to think about and learn from.

One thing to remember is that it is a huge, and almost impossible, ask for people to be involved in a conversation that is inviting them to think the unthinkable. This is sometimes especially the case in communities where even thinking about what is going to happen tomorrow is not even part of the conversation on the radar, never mind what is going to happen further in the future. This is why in our written submission to the committee we have encouraged it to think about how to create space for careful conversations. The PCI commends the widening of this discussion to recognise that there are evolving and changing relationships North-South and east-west. Again, something is being modelled here in respect of the conversations that will be heard this afternoon.

In time, of course, those conversations might turn to what a new Ireland might look like. In engaging in this wider conversation, though, it is possible to engage with a wider group of people and in a wider situation. It must be remembered as well that careful conversations only really work when they are based on stable foundations. This is difficult, and is reflected in some of the comments Reverend Dr. Hamilton made on reconciliation. It is time consuming and often unseen work, but essential. Hard and difficult conversations are to be had about the social and cultural differences across the island and across these islands and the more difficult work of engaging hearts and minds. To pick up on something else Reverend Dr. Hamilton said, there is also recognition that any change to constitutional arrangements, whether North-South, east or west, even within the context of the broader United Kingdom, would require some kind of sacrifice on all sides. It is not just a case of one side wins and the other side loses.

Turning to some comments made in the context of the Ipsos-MRBI poll published in December 2021, one topic concerned the prospect of a new flag or a new national anthem to reflect the identity of Unionists having been rejected by more than 70% of respondents. Equally, when it came to the suggestion that Ireland could rejoin the Commonwealth to reflect a new Ireland, the mood was the same, with more than 77% of people saying "No". This was just one poll and it does not necessarily reflect the full picture. It does not, though, paint a picture of a readiness to honour, celebrate or respect different traditions on the island of Ireland, but rather a sense of assimilation over accommodation. We have encouraged the committee and others thinking about this issue to consider that conversations in the constitutional future of the island of Ireland should not necessarily presume a predetermined direction of travel. One of our former moderators referred to an earlier, more critical and more difficult discussion being required about the setting of a tone, in respect of where people being in the same room and sitting at a table can become a conversation and that can become a relationship.