The Taoiseach has rejected Sinn Féin’s Bill to prepare for a united Ireland and claimed it would “recommit us to an approach which has failed repeatedly over the past 100 years”.
Micheál Martin said the legislation would “involve an empty gesture” and “do little to achieve its objective”.
“Most importantly it would distract from urgent work which is essential before any honest and constructive debate about our constitutional future can be held.”
He was responding in the Dáil to Sinn Féin’s Planning for Constitutional Change Bill, which obliges the Government to draft and publish a Green Paper on unification within 18 months.
RM Block
The Green Paper would then inform an all-island Citizens’ Assembly, which would be set up to map out the costs, logistics and other practicalities of Irish unification.
Introducing the Bill which she described as “historic”, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it would “put the work of uniting Ireland at the very heart of Government and the Oireachtas”.
A united Ireland is the “big idea for our future”, McDonald said. “We need to recognise that a united Ireland is the greatest opportunity of our generation.”
The Taoiseach denounced the 18-month deadline to set out a Green Paper as “obviously not credible” and believed a Citizens’ Assembly was not the “appropriate mechanism” to advance the “enormous work” of securing unity.
“Given the reality of past experience, please let’s move beyond the new slogans that all we need is government advocacy and a Citizens’ Assembly and then we’ll be ready.
“A policy of ‘one more push’ and hoping for an unpopular government in London will achieve nothing,” he said.
“In contrast, our approach is rooted in the Good Friday Agreement.” He added: “The starting point of true civic republicanism is to focus first on building understanding and shared interests between all communities.”
But McDonald said: “There has been nothing rushed, hasty or pre-emptive about this process. We are nearly 30 years on from the Good Friday Agreement.
“It is now time to write the next chapter. The chapter of reunification.
“And we now need to do the work necessary to plan and prepare for the people to vote on a united Ireland.”
Martin insisted “ground-breaking, practical work” was being done under the Shared Island initiative.
“We have secured its legitimacy. We have shown that it is possible for people to reach across divides on the basis of shared interests.”
McDonald said reunification was “about seizing the moment and the opportunity to create a new deal for the people of Ireland – for every person on this island.
“A new deal for Protestants and unionists which protects their British identity, replacing the bad treatment and abandonment from Westminster with real ownership, inclusion and respect as citizens. To have a real stake in the future.”
Sinn Féin Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh told the Government: “You cannot hold the tide back forever.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “We all seek a better future for this island, but there are genuine differences across the political spectrum and how we best go about that how we best achieve that future.”
At Tuesday evening’s Cabinet meeting the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee got Government agreement to oppose Sinn Féin’s proposed legislation.
[ Irish unity questions complicated by political instability in the UKOpens in new window ]
A Government statement said its policy on Northern Ireland is focused supporting the operation of the Belfast Agreement’s institutions; the implementation of the Shared Island initiative; addressing the legacy of the Troubles; and promoting reconciliation.
The statement added: “While we are committed to a united Ireland what is proposed by Sinn Féin is not the correct approach.”
Earlier McDonald said she believed there was an “instinct” in Fine Gael to start preparing for a referendum, and it would be “astonishing” if Fianna Fáil, the republican party, voted against her party’s proposal.
The vote takes place on Wednesday evening.
