Frances Black (Independent)

It is great to see the Minister of State here. I commend Senator Conor Murphy and his Sinn Féin colleagues on introducing the motion. It is a fantastic idea. I welcome the opportunity to contribute. It is great that the Minister of State is supporting the motion.

We are living through a momentous time of opportunity for our country - with reunification closer than ever. We have the hope of a united and shared future, the end of harmful separation and corrosive division and the achievement of national reconciliation. A new and united Ireland is within our reach. As we consider this prospect, we should recall time and again that the conversation about constitutional change is framed by the Good Friday Agreement, as a matter of law and of politics. Our collective commitment to a united Ireland also remains at the centre of our own Constitution. The choice is hard-wired into the governing arrangements for the North. The EU has recognised that a vote for unity will mean automatic return for the North. I know that is something the Minister of State is specifically interested in. We are moving from aspiration to reality. What may have once seemed a distant dream is now on the horizon. We cannot forget the promises made about a united Ireland and the way we will share our island in the future.

We cannot forget that a united Ireland will be a shared island. People have a choice that will involve the right to self-determination and the principle of consent.We are not surprised that so many in the North now want to exercise that, and we must accept that the evidence strongly suggests we are on a pathway to that border poll. The well-evidenced trends are there for us all to see. As the British Brexit shambles shows us, it is essential to plan and prepare properly in advance of any such vote. We have to get this right.

My view is that we are entering a phase in our history when a referendum in the North can be won. We must think about that for a moment, and the practical implications. The British Government will not be able to delay this forever. We have to accept that. We cannot ignore the clear evidence. As I said, change is coming, and we have to be prepared for it. Now, it is the mainstream debate. It is happening in every household around the country. We know that, and we cannot forget how we got here. Therefore, I take this opportunity today to commend all of those over the many years who have played a leading role. That includes the civil society group I am involved with, namely, Ireland's Future, academics such as Professors Colin Harvey, John Doyle and Seamus McGuinness, who have all appeared before the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement many times, initiatives such as the Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South, ARINS, project, the all-Ireland women's assembly, which is doing phenomenal work, and, of course, the shared island unit and Mr. Eoghan Duffy, who is doing great work in this area.

I commend the efforts of political parties, including Sinn Féin’s commission on the future of Ireland, the SDLP's new Ireland commission and those parties that have made significant interventions, including the Labour Party, individual members of Fine Gael like the Minister of State and the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, from Fianna Fáil, and the ongoing work of our own Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. As the Minister of State said, it is essential that parties work constructively together in the common goal of achieving unity. In particular, I pay tribute to all those from a traditional unionist background who are displaying genuine civic courage, including Rev. Karen Sutherman, a good friend of ours who is now co-chair of Ireland’s Future, Ms Claire Mitchell, Mr. Ben Collins, Mr. Glenn Bradley, Mr. Davy Adams and Mr. Wallace Thompson, who, as the Minister of State might know, has not been too well recently. We send him good wishes. I will be hosting a briefing in the new year with all those people, who are coming to the audiovisual room. I would encourage everybody to come to that briefing.

There is an onus on us to ensure that this place is welcoming to all. We need to demonstrate every day, in word and deed, that a new Ireland will be inclusive of all identities. I believe that the Ulster-British tradition will be central to making a success of a united Ireland.

The progress we are all making is truly remarkable, so what are the next steps? In 2024, Ireland’s Future launched a landmark publication, "Ireland 2030: Proposals for the Period Between 2024 and 2030", where detailed proposals were advanced. These include an all-island civic initiative, the creation of dedicated governmental structures, a new Oireachtas committee, which the Minister of State mentioned, and the steps needed to deliver a programme for a new Ireland. The Ireland's Future document followed widespread dialogue and engagement, including with all political parties, and it is heartening and encouraging to see so many give constitutional change such a place in their work. It is a joy to be working in that area. The presidential election showed us again the genuine appetite to talk about and prepare for a united Ireland. I agree with what the Minister of State said, in that it was terrible to see what happened to Heather Humphreys.

Let me conclude. A new Ireland is affordable, manageable and deliverable. It promises a better and fairer future for all our people, a remarkable opportunity now to be grasped. Preparing well is wise, and the last five years focused on raising the profile of the debate. The next phase will be equally challenging. If we are serious about our timeframe, this must include a politically negotiated timetable for a border poll. This will assist in bringing much-needed clarity and certainty as we prepare for constitutional change.

I support this significant motion today. I thank all Sinn Féin colleagues for tabling it. I also take the opportunity to commend the vital work of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I think we need an Oireachtas committee specifically on this, which I know is something the Minister of State thinks is a great idea as well.