Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland

Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald TD and National Party Chairperson Declan Kearney, who chairs the Commission on the Future of Ireland, have today published a report of the work on the Commission since its establishment.

Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald TD said:

“I want to commend the positive engagement by the Commission on the Future of Ireland with community groups, women’s and youth organisations, rural Ireland, the business sector, Irish language community, economists, academics and the wider public, including northern Protestant opinion.

“This work has been enormously helpful in encouraging an optimistic discussion around constitutional change and for Irish Unity.

“The breadth of the panellists from all sectors of society, including unionist and Protestant voices, willing to participate in the Peoples Assemblies and the Sectoral events is very encouraging. Thank you to everyone who participated. 

“We publish this report today in the aftermath of the General Election in the South.

“The result of the election confirms that Irish republicans, United Irelanders and those who aspire to a new future are now a significant, influential and permanent active voice in the politics of the twenty-six counties. 

“What the election shows very clearly is that the days of two parties controlling both government and opposition are over and they’re not coming back. Sinn Féin is now an established and potent political force in the South.

“We didn’t get there this time and I accept that we must work harder and do better at convincing more and more people.

“Make no mistake, we will do that. We are not giving up, We never will. There is too much at stake, too much to be achieved. 

“Sinn Féin firmly believes that it is now incumbent on the Irish and British governments to begin preparations and to work together to enable communities across our island to realise the potential of a new and better future.

“Sinn Féin is saying very clearly that the next government in Dublin must prioritise planning for constitutional change and reunification and for the unity referendums as provided by the Good Friday Agreement.

“We have published practical and exciting steps that the next government should take to advance preparations for the future. 

“Any programme for government agreed by the next government must include preparation for constitutional change and include practical steps that the Taoiseach will drive.

“It must prioritise an open, mature, and pragmatic conversation about the future.

“This involves the urgent publication of a green paper on Irish Unity, appointing a Minister for Reunification at the Department of An Taoiseach, setting up an Oireachtas Committee on Constitutional Change and establishing an inclusive Citizens’ Assembly on Unity. 

“A Citizen’s Assembly would be a forum for discussing ideas and perspectives on unity, facilitating debate on the shape of the future constitutional arrangements, and clarifying the social, economic, and political challenges. 

“This report demonstrates what can be done when one party prioritises an open conversation about the future. Just imagine what is possible, what can be achieved if a government did this?”

National Party Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA said:

“Partition has failed the people of the North and the people of the island of Ireland.

“The Commission on the Future of Ireland was established by Sinn Féin in July 2022 to undertake a grassroots consultation, and to facilitate people having their say by encouraging the conversation around the advantages and opportunities presented by Irish Unity.

“Significant progress has been made through the hosting of People’s Assemblies across the country and internationally; the collection and publication of written contributions; the holding of sectoral meetings, and through private engagements.

“In addition, reports have been produced on each of these events and are available online. There has also been extensive use of social media, and footage of all of the Commission events is available also.

“The current level of discussion on constitutional change is remarkable.

“There is now an unprecedented cross-party political consensus on the need to plan and prepare for Irish Unity.

“As well as Sinn Féin other groups have also been discussing Irish Unity. These include Ireland’s Future; Gaels le Chéile; Constitutional Conversations; Belfast Women’s Assembly; Trade Unions for Irish Unity; the SDLP’s New Ireland Commission; Labour for Irish Unity and the Women’s Assembly (Hosted by Mary McAleese in conjunction with the National Women’s Council).

“The Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee published a landmark report on Perspectives on Constitutional Change; another report on Women and Constitutional Change and last Friday ‘The Women’s Charter for Inclusive Constitutional Futures’ by Fidelma Ashe and others was published.

“Sinn Féin wants to work with others to intensify this work and we want to encourage everyone, especially encourage northern Protestants and unionists, to be part of this conversation on the future. 

“The Commission on the Future of Ireland has an extensive programme of work planned for 2025. I look forward to these enlightening and growing conversations.”

You can read the full report here; Béarla https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2024/COMMISSION_ANNUAL_REPORT_BEARLA.pdf

Gaeilge –https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2024/COMMISSION_ANNUAL_REPORT_GAEILGE.pdf