Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have some speaking time on this topic today. The New Decade, New Approach agreement aims to initiate inclusive discussion on how we can all thrive on the island of Ireland. We must live in harmony and respect our island's complex history. I want to briefly speak on history because if the general election had not gone well, I would probably be in a classroom right now teaching history.

This time 12 months ago, I sparked what probably become a national debate overnight by refusing to attend a State commemoration for the Royal Irish Constabulary. That commemoration was ultimately abandoned and it was the right thing to do. I really want to state on record in this Chamber that our island's history must be preserved and remembered. It should, however, teach and prevent us from repeating mistakes. It should also not be the sole guiding light for the sculpting of the future of our islands. I hold the bedrock political belief, and always have, that Ireland as an entire 32-county island should be united as one nation. The united Ireland I see being realised, hopefully, in my lifetime, differs to that envisaged by Eamon de Valera, Constance Markievicz and company. Brexit and Covid-19 have taught us that this island requires huge co-operation across borders. People now look at many different metrics in terms of a shared Ireland, or even a united Ireland, regarding things such as the economy, healthcare systems, taxation etc.

I note that our colleague, who is now Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Mark Daly, undertook a number of studies. He looked at the different metrics to which I have just referred, for example, the economy, health systems and judicial systems, and compiled an extensive report on each. That is the direction in which the Taoiseach's Department and the nation need to be going. Over the next decade and beyond, we need to look at continuing along in the vein of the Good Friday Agreement in constructive dialogue with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and those who represent the United Kingdom in the Parliament of Westminster.

Ultimately, since the foundation of Dáil Éireann in 1919 and as we approach the centenary of partition and our statehood, the belief of our country, from its existence right back to a century ago, has always been that we would be a united country. We can only do so by using modern metrics such as the economy, medical systems and transportation systems. We need to look at those modern 21st century metrics, not just which flag flies above State buildings.

In that regard, the work undertaken by Senator Mark Daly, as the sole paddler of a canoe in the Seanad in the previous term, should be taken on by the State as a meaningful document to guide discussion, hopefully, leading to a united Ireland in our lifetime, happening in the right way that sustains people on both sides of the island and that respects traditions in all corners of the island.

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