Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has described Dublin City Council’s vote in support of a motion urging the government to prepare for Irish Unity as “another step forward on the road to a United Ireland in our time.”
The motion, which was passed at Monday’s Council meeting, calls on the government to establish an all-island Citizens’ Assembly and a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish Unity. It also urges the government to produce a plan towards Irish Unity and to work to secure a date for referendums on reunification.
Ms McDonald said, “The vote in support of the motion at last night’s meeting of Dublin City Council reflects that the exciting momentum and conversation around Irish Unity is building all the time. The largest local authority in the state has voted overwhelmingly to urge the government to prepare for the reunification of our country. It is another step forward on the road to a United Ireland in our time.
“Unity is the best idea for the future of Ireland. The government must now step-up and grasp this massive opportunity for all the people of this island, particularly for our young people. The discussion is live now in all parts of the country, amongst people from all walks of life, and the direction of travel points firmly to reunification. Day by day, inch by inch we are heading towards a United Ireland.
“I believe we will have unity referendums by 2030. The people will have their say. Both the Irish government and British governments must catch up. The days of governments sticking their heads in the sands or treading water are over. The Irish government cannot continue to be a bystander. The planning and preparations for constitutional change must start now.
“The future is shaped by decisions and choices we make today. It is now time to do the work, to broaden the conversation, to have the debates and to move forward with the confidence that we can end partition, overcome the divisions of the past, and achieve a United Ireland.”
