Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)

The history of our country is one of partition, division, imperial dominance and military occupation. For centuries, Irish people have borne the yoke of oppression - oppression of our language, our culture and our own birthright. That said, the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 was agreed to by all parties, to provide through peaceful democratic means a referendum on Irish unity. It is incumbent on the Irish Government to be prepared for such an event. Brexit has changed the economic dynamics and, in many ways, has made the relationship between the North and South more interdependent on trade, commerce and all-Ireland social institutions. I have listened to Government academics, officials and Government Ministers most of my life, and when they are asked about a united Ireland, their answer is, as always, that it is not the time for a united Ireland. This is exactly why we need to prepare for a united Ireland in establishing a citizens' assembly, a dedicated Oireachtas committee and all-island forums. It is time now to unite and consign partition to the past and build a strong economy, an inclusive democracy and an equal society for all.

Michelle O'Neill has demonstrated how this can be done as a First Minister for all. We are a small island of just 32,595 sq. miles. Partition makes no sense. It never has and never will. We have far more to gain by planning a way forward in a mindful and meaningful way to bring together all sections of our little island, to create a new and prosperous nation and a new future that belongs to us all, where everyone has a decent opportunity to live in harmony and respect and to rear their families in whatever way they choose. I believe we now have a gifted opportunity. The Irish Government should be taking the lead on this. The time has come to build a better place for all; to plan, engage and secure a date for the referendum on Irish unity, as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement. I would like to finish on a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

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