Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s speech during Dáil debate on the Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026 in full:
Tonight, the Dáil can take a major step towards Irish Unity in our time.
Tonight, we can begin the final length of our national journey from peace to reunification.
The Bill Sinn Féin brings before the Dáil this evening is historic.
If passed, it would be the first-ever legislation directing the government to start planning and preparing for a United Ireland.
The Bill compels the Taoiseach to produce and publish a government Green Paper and set out its vision for reunification.
It will also establish a first-ever All-Ireland Citizens’ Assembly on Irish Unity to consider these proposals.
It would put the work of uniting Ireland at the very heart of government and the Oireachtas.
The story of our nation is a story of challenge, adversity and struggle.
But more importantly it is a story of perseverance, hope and overcoming incredible odds.
A story of enduring belief that a better future for Ireland is possible.
That spirit is best reflected in the achievement of the historic Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Twenty-eight years ago, leaders from all communities came together and made peace. The agreement brought conflict in Ireland to an end. To this day, it stands as an historic, international success story in peace-building.
It created space to acknowledge the hurt, pain and loss on all sides. To build a bridge of understanding, a pathway for healing and a process for real reconciliation.
The Good Friday Agreement was about institutional arrangements and human rights standards.
However, at the very core of the agreement is the provision of the right of all the people, north and south, to determine Ireland’s future at the ballot box by way of referendums.
And we now need to do the work necessary to plan and prepare for the people to vote on a United Ireland.
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The Year that Was:
2026:
