Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Ahern is very welcome and I join with others in commending him on his very hard work and efforts to secure peace in Northern Ireland. There is no doubt we are in a much better place as a result of the collective work and his work to achieve the Good Friday Agreement. I am speaking today on behalf of my colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group. I welcome any chance to speak about the importance of the Good Friday Agreement on its 25th anniversary.

When commemorating the Good Friday Agreement it is important to remember that it is not a fixed moment in the past. The Good Friday Agreement is a living document affirmed by the majority of voters living on the island in 1998. It was the culmination of years of hard work in which I know Mr. Ahern was involved. It was the work of tolerance and understanding radically different perspectives. This work was not undertaken by only a small group of politicians and diplomats. The work was undertaken, and we have to remember this, at the grassroots level all over Northern Ireland by community workers, activists and ordinary people. It was not very glamorous as we can imagine. It was not televised and it was not easy but it was very much essential.

We need to ensure we do not forget the contributions made at all levels of society, particularly now that civil society and the community sector in the North are under so much pressure due to the withdrawal of EU funding. The Good Friday Agreement remains foundational and fundamental. We have to remember the agreement is far bigger than any movement or single person. It was a collective democratic gift from a conflict-weary population to the next generation. It was a gift of peace. It is the framework for cross-community covenant in the North. It is imperfect but vital and, crucially, it provides a democratic peaceful process for the island of Ireland.

In my capacity as a member of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and as chair of Ireland's Future, I have seen first-hand the expanding appetite for the conversation about constitutional change. It is happening around kitchen tables all over the country. The removal of Northern Ireland from the EU against its will, the intermittent operation of power-sharing in Stormont, and the emergence of a young cohort of voters who view the prospect of Ireland's reunification more positively means the issue of a border poll is now impossible to ignore. This is welcome. A border poll is a democratic opportunity made possible by the Good Friday Agreement.

I know, however, there is a lot of work to do to make sure such a poll is decided based on facts and reasoned debate rather than fear-mongering or false promises. We have begun to undertake some important first steps in this journey with the work of the shared island unit and the Seanad Public Consultation Committee driven by Senator Mark Daly. There is also the work being done by Ireland's Future in organising well-attended events throughout Ireland and beyond, engaging with political parties and other civil society organisations, producing substantial policy papers to shape the debate about a new and united Ireland and, of course, work on the Good Friday Agreement and constitutional change. There is so much more to do.

We have seen the disastrous impact that a poorly defined referendum with deeply misleading campaigning and a chaotic implementation can have. Brexit is a textbook case of all the dangers posed by a lack of planning and preparation. It should act as a warning for us to make sure we expand the energy, attention and resources necessary to ensure the debate on a border poll is factual and delivered to an informed and engaged public who can critically appraise the arguments being presented on both sides.The referendum on the repeal of the eighth amendment is a good example of how having existing policy frameworks agreed in advance of a referendum can enrich the discourse and can empower voters to feel confident making their decision based on a predictable outcome. This means that voters are less susceptible to demagoguery and are less likely to regret their decision. The Good Friday Agreement is ultimately about putting the future of Northern Ireland in the hands of the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic.

I feel the Good Friday Agreement has transformed our society. The peace it delivered created economic and cultural opportunities that have improved many, many lives. The border poll provision provides a democratic opportunity not just to unify the North and South, but also to sweep aside the inequality and injustice of the past and to forge a new Ireland with values of social justice, solidarity and equality at its core. I am very aware that Mr. Ahern was involved in so much work. I sincerely thank him for all the work that he has done on this issue. There is no doubt about it. Ireland is now in a much better place for it.