Major research conducted jointly by Dublin City University and Ulster University published this morning highlights how the reunification of Ireland is a huge opportunity for us all. It finds that the costs of unity would be far lower than had previously been put forward by opponents of Irish unity. In my view the research has delivered a fatal blow to any economic arguments that might have been presented against a united Ireland. This is good news and exciting news. It shows that there are opportunities and benefits of reunification there to be seized. We now need an Irish government that will demonstrate the vision, the ambition and the action to match that opportunity. This generation, in my view, can unite Ireland but the Government needs to come off the bench and to get onto the pitch. We need an Irish government now to step up and grasp the massive opportunities for all the people of Ireland's 32 counties. Will the Government now start planning and preparing to deliver a united Ireland that we know can be a better Ireland for us all?

The Government and many successive Irish Governments have made clear our commitment to that cause. We have also made clear the steps we believe should be put in place beforehand to bring us closer together and to unite this island. That is already happening. I have pointed to the work of the shared island fund, overseen by the Department of the Taoiseach, supported by the Department of foreign affairs, putting in place investments to bring us also together. I point to the work the Government has done in dealing with the consequences of Brexit. I make the case that those who point to economic consequences are not necessarily opponents. We should be able to have a fair and open debate regarding an issue that is so important. The Government will do more than debate; we are putting in place the practical steps to bring us together, as I have just highlighted.