Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway Walsh, has said that the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement must do more to bring the voice of the Irish community in Britain into the discussion on constitutional change.
Deputy Conway Walsh was speaking from London as part of an Oireachtas Delegation to Westminster, where she was joined by party colleagues Dáire Hughes MP and John Finucane MP. During the course of their visit, the delegation met with Westminster’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Irish in Britain and an array of Irish community organisations.
Teachta Conway Walsh said, “Today was a very welcome opportunity to engage with the Irish community in Britain. When we talk about not wanting to leave anyone behind when it comes to the constitutional conversation that has to include our diaspora.
“It is an unfortunate truth of our island’s history that many of our best and brightest have had to leave home for better opportunities. But that does not mean that they have ever truly left. The Irish abroad are an intricate part of the Irish nation and our best ambassadors on the world stage.
“In 2024, the Oireachtas Committee published a ‘Perspectives on Constitutional Change: Finance and Economics’, a cross-party report that recommended urgent preparation and planning for Irish unity. It proposed the establishment of a dedicated Department for Reunification under the Department of An Taoiseach, a Green Paper on Irish Unity and the establishment of Citizen Assemblies and deliberative forums.
“This was followed by another report on ‘Women and Constitutional Change’. Both reports emphasised the importance of reconciliation and the need for a planned engagement with the unionist and Protestant population.
“As we envision a new future for the Irish people, the voice, perspective, experience, and expertise of our diaspora will be vital. The Irish in Britain have a unique opportunity to shape the future of Ireland. I look forward to working with them to make this happen.” |
