Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to mention a statistic that was highlighted last night. According to the most recent census in Northern Ireland - I am not talking about a survey here - just 40% of people in the North describe themselves as British. Another statistic worth mentioning is that 43% of people are not in favour of a united Ireland. As the Acting Leader will appreciate, it depends on which way one plays the statistics. I am more interested in an analysis of a report on the UN Human Development Index, which shows that Ireland is ranked 11th in the world in terms of education, health and income. The UK is ranked 14th and the Oireachtas Library and Research Service has used the figures in the report to extrapolate that the North of Ireland would be ranked 24th if it were considered on its own. The citizens down here are way better off. Those in the North would be better off in a unified state.

When the Northern state was drawn all those years ago, Carson and Craig, who were its architects, wanted to create the largest majority. That majority was 336,000 at the time, but it had decreased to 58,000 at the most recent census. Thankfully, the religious issues no longer apply. I refer to the religious divide of Catholic equals Nationalist and Protestant equals Unionist. It has been shown that 30% of people in both communities do not have any opinion on whether Northern Ireland should stay within the UK or join a united Ireland. Those people will decide the future of Northern Ireland by virtue of the arguments that are made. The Human Development Index shows that they would be better off here in the South. Along with Congressman Brendan Boyle and his brother, Kevin Boyle, who is a state representative in Pennsylvania, I will be working to arrange conferences in the United States, Ireland and Britain at which the question of what represents the best future for all the people on this island can be discussed. I ask the Leader for a debate in this House for the same reason. Those who are in favour of it must make their points. Obviously, those who are against it will argue their way too. The important part of all of this is that we have the debate and the discussion. I will explain what we are trying to achieve together. We are trying to ensure all the people on this island enjoy the best possible future, regardless of what religion they do or do not practise. We are trying to guarantee the best future for children on this island for generations to come, regardless of their religion. It is not about borders; it is about new horizons. That is what we should be talking about and that is what we should be creating.