Sinn Féin has called on the Irish Government to ensure that Irish Unity is central to its political priorities and policy programme when taking up the Presidency of the Council of the EU in July.
The party has set out its position in a submission to the Government consultation on the Presidency programme.
Senator Murphy said, “The Irish Government’s Presidency of the European Union must make Irish unity a central political priority. Sinn Féin has set this out in our submission to the Government’s public consultation on the Presidency programme in December.
“Polling by Amárach Research for the European Movement Ireland shows strong majority support, North and South, for a united Ireland within the European Union.
“It confirms that people want change, and they want a future back in the European Union. These figures reflect a growing understanding that the cost of Brexit – economically, politically, and socially – has been detrimental for the North of Ireland.
“The European Council’s 2017 statement in the context of Brexit stated that in the event of a united Ireland the state will automatically be within the EU.
“As we shortly approach the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we must recognise that the journey is moving now from one of peace to unity. What is needed now is leadership and preparation from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the issue. A border poll and referenda on Irish reunification cannot be ignored.
“It is essential that the groundwork begins now to avoid uncertainty and ensure a peaceful, democratic transition to a united Ireland within the European Union.
“A united Ireland within the EU must be a central political and policy priority of Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026.”
