Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, nó a Chathaoirligh. Bhí mé sa Teach mícheart ansin - gabh mo leithscéal. I just want to expand on and ask the Leader about some of what my group leader, Senator Conway-Walsh, outlined in terms of the Taoiseach's remarks at the MacGill Summer School over the weekend. They are very welcome remarks. They are very positive and progressive in terms of what they can do for the people of our island. They follow on similar remarks made by the leader of the Fianna Fáil Party over the weekend as well.

Particularly in this year, given that in the last few weeks and months we all stood at gravesides and monuments the length and breadth of this country, we should all be persuaders for Irish unity. I use that term in a very considered manner. We cannot operate in silos in respect of this very important matter. It is very encouraging to hear a broader consensus come to the fore on this issue of such importance. I want to expand on, reiterate and support the remarks by Senators Daly and Humphreys regarding the need for this plan to be considered, nuanced and informed. There is deep concern in the North, particularly among the 56% of people who voted to remain, that we will be marooned with a Government that is austerity-driven in its ideology and which has punished ordinary citizens in the North over the past couple of years. We could invite the authors of the report modelling Irish unification to address this House and its Members. This is a comprehensive study carried out by very highly-regarded economists from North America and from Europe, who have identified that in the first eight years of reunification there could be a €35.6 billion boost to all-island GDP. That is just in the first eight years. As someone who is in danger of being marooned with that London economy, that is very hopeful to me.

Mar fhocal scoir, it is vital that we get the Taoiseach in. We are in the midst of these issues. It is a live matter that is affecting us all. It is important that we hear from the Taoiseach in terms of that national dialogue. We have heard contributions around the need for a forum. Call it what one may, that is a very legitimate, important and practical call to make. The Taoiseach seems to be up for it. Everyone in this House, and the Lower House, is up for it. Civic society, business, agriculture, the trade union movement and broader life in Ireland are all up for that. Hopefully the Leader can encourage the Taoiseach to come in to discuss that.