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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Irish unity debate

Summary

Senator Conway-Walsh called for a debate with the Minister for Finance on the economic realities and research gap around Irish unity.

It is worth a read, and I suggest the Leader take it home and have some bedside reading. We must also address the flip side of the argument. Continuing with the status quo would deny the island such an economic boost. It is not just an issue for Sinn Féin. It will impact on us all. I ask for a debate to invite the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, to discuss the economic realities of Irish unity. For far too long, there has been a research gap on the issue. The Irish Civil Service has never properly prepared for what so many accept as inevitable, namely, unity on the island. The Government of the State has never produced a Green Paper on Irish unity, despite promises to do so. There is much talk about the Government's lack of preparation for the outcome of the Brexit vote, and it would be as foolish for the Government not to start planning for the next major constitutional change, namely, Irish unity.

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