Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Major research conducted jointly by Dublin City University and Ulster University published this morning highlights how the reunification of Ireland is a huge opportunity for us all. It finds that the costs of unity would be far lower than had previously been put forward by opponents of Irish unity. In my view the research has delivered a fatal blow to any economic arguments that might have been presented against a united Ireland. This is good news and exciting news. It shows that there are opportunities and benefits of reunification there to be seized. We now need an Irish government that will demonstrate the vision, the ambition and the action to match that opportunity. This generation, in my view, can unite Ireland but the Government needs to come off the bench and to get onto the pitch. We need an Irish government now to step up and grasp the massive opportunities for all the people of Ireland's 32 counties. Will the Government now start planning and preparing to deliver a united Ireland that we know can be a better Ireland for us all?

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