Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)

The office of President is one of great symbolism and standing and our President is the representative of all the Irish people on the international stage. The Good Friday Agreement recognises the birthright of the people of the North of Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish, British or both, while the Irish diaspora around the world were and continue to be a driving force to encourage international support for Ireland. It is time for the Government to recognise their role, live up to the Good Friday Agreement and extend voting rights to all Irish citizens. It has been over ten years since the convention on the Constitution issued its recommendation and eight years since the Government of the day agreed to hold a referendum to extend this right. This issue has been put on the long finger for too long and we must finally have a referendum to allow all Irish citizens to have their say on who represents them as President.

It is also time to begin preparations for constitutional change. Unity makes sense and will create new opportunities and new prosperity for all the people of the island of Ireland. The Government has a duty and a constitutional obligation to make preparations for unity. It is reckless for it to fail to plan for the future. The discussion on a united Ireland is gathering pace, yet constantly we hear from the Government that now is not the time. When will be the right time? The Government is behind the people on this and it needs to acknowledge the changing dynamics on this island. The Good Friday Agreement places the future constitutional position of Ireland in the hands of the people who share this island. There is an onus on all of us to create the debate and plan for a new, agreed, united, equal and inclusive Ireland. It is time the Government stepped up to the plate and began preparations for unity.

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