Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 21 be taken before No. 1."

I want to highlight a wonderful event I attended last Friday in the European Parliament Liaison Office. It was the launch of a report making the case for Irish unity in the EU, which was commissioned by Members of the European Parliament and written by legal experts, Mr. Mark Bassett and Professor Colin Harvey. It is truly a great piece of work. The authors have excelled in the difficult task of making the notoriously technical and dry area of EU law accessible and compelling. I encourage all Members and anyone watching to read the report. To summarise the authors' argument, there is no legal barrier to the EU supporting constitutional change on the island of Ireland. In addition, the authors make a compelling public policy case for the EU to take such a position and assist Ireland in the planning and preparation for potential constitutional change.

Many of the people who live in the North of Ireland have availed of their right to Irish citizenship. This, in turn, makes them EU citizens, and the best way their rights as EU citizens can be vindicated is reunification. The European Council stated in 2017 that should unification occur, the whole island would be in the EU. We all know that the people of Northern Ireland were pulled out of the EU against their will. They have had to endure the political dysfunction and economic impact of that decision ever since. Despite the promising recent developments with the Windsor Framework and the economic benefits it may offer, the best way for people in the North to protect their human rights and grow their economy is to rejoin the European Union. The only plausible path to that is constitutional change on the island.

The EU was an important partner in the Brexit negotiations and close collaboration between EU and Irish officials, on which I commend them, helped protect vital Irish interests. Many issues remain, however, one of which is that Irish diplomacy in the EU should build support for constitutional change on the island of Ireland. This is the best way to resolve the issue of Brexit, protect human rights, drive economic development and heal the wounds of partition.

I also note that the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act is being commenced today, which is warmly welcomed. It is a huge moment that has been a long time coming. There are some flaws in the legislation but it is a huge step forward. Let us seize this momentum to progress swiftly with the reform of the Mental Health Act and the creation of adult safeguarding legislation.