Author of Time For Irish Unity Ben Collins lays out practical initiatives the next Irish government should make in preparing the ground for a United Ireland.
Read the first part of Ben’s article here.
The Irish Government should proactively show that all communities across Ireland have a stake in the country. There should be a conscious decision to include unionism in key issues. Just as civic society and business sectors were involved in Brexit forums, so civic unionism along with other parts of wider society can be asked for their thoughts on issues around all-Ireland healthcare, growing the economy, continuing to ensure Ireland’s food security, addressing the climate crisis and how we build a transport network which helps us on the path to net zero. There are all issues about how we ensure that the everyday experience of everyone who lives across this island gets better. We know that alongside far right agitators based at home and overseas, there are many people who have genuine concerns. These people need to be listened to, so that we can understand their concerns. The Irish Government and the EU have both said recently that they intend to confront the challenges caused by unregulated social media which is stoking unrest. But this is only part of the answer. We also need to ensure that every citizen knows that the Irish Government is focused on creating the conditions where everyone has access to good healthcare, good housing, can access education to enable them to compete and succeed in the workplace, as well as know that as a society we are safeguarding the environment of our precious island and its fertile land, lakes and rivers.
We are also due to have the next Irish Presidential election by late 2025. Citizens in Northern Ireland should be able to vote for the next Head of State in this election. Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced in March 2017 that there would be a referendum on citizens living outside the 26 counties being able to vote in Irish presidential elections, including those in Northern Ireland. This followed a recommendation by a Constitutional Convention in 2013. Yet here we are in 2024 with no progress on this crucial issue. There has been no consultation and no legislation passed to enable this to happen. Ireland is strong in part because of its diaspora across the globe. These are people who care deeply about Ireland and want to see the country and its citizens succeed. We should recognise this and give them a say in who will be our next President. If we want to build a United Ireland we need to start by giving all Irish citizens who live across all parts of Ireland equal voting rights. We know that our citizens in the past have suffered by being disenfranchised and we must as a matter of urgency address this.
Former President Mary McAleese did amazing work through her ‘Building Bridges’ initiative and we need the next president to take a similar approach. Unionism is having to confront a rapidly changing political landscape and the president can play a supportive and encouraging role to help unionists to adjust to this new reality. The President can also be seen as a champion of rights for all communities and all parts of Irish society. We can both face down the far right agitators and offer respect and hope for all citizens. The next president can use their status and their Council of State to adopt an inclusive approach to government. Representatives from all parts of society including unionism can be appointed to the Council of State. Áras an Uachtaráin can become a warm house for unionism, as it should be for all people who live across Ireland. We know that King Charles has stated his desire to visit all 32 counties of Ireland and the next Irish Government can continue the good work of this government and NI Executive ministers in meeting with the British Monarch and welcoming him to all parts of Ireland.
The symbolism of the President of Ireland welcoming all communities to the Áras, the British King meeting with citizens across Ireland are the key steps we need to take now. The question of what the flag will be or what will be the national anthem can wait until we are further along the reunification process. But ultimately people want to see and be assured that they have access to a good education, good healthcare, job prospects, that they are respected and have a voice in choosing the government of the day.
The recent Olympics have shown that athletes from across all parts of Ireland and every background can represent this island with pride and success. The next Irish Government should follow up on its recent commitment to fund investment in sports across the island. Many of our sports already operate on an all-Ireland basis and we know that greater involvement in sport leads to better physical and mental health outcomes.
There is a unique opportunity for the next Irish Government to have its Field of Dreams moment. Kevin Costner’s character knew that if he built it, they will come. Members of the Irish Government know that if they prepare now, implement an all-Ireland approach and allocate money from the new sovereign wealth fund for reunification, we can ensure a smooth transition to a New Ireland. There will be a democratic vote to confirm Irish unity but we can look forward with confidence, an increased understanding of what it means and the support of wider society if we take these steps now.
Author of Time For Irish Unity Ben Collins lays out practical initiatives the next Irish government should make in preparing the ground for a United Ireland.
Read the first part of Ben’s article here.
The Irish Government should proactively show that all communities across Ireland have a stake in the country. There should be a conscious decision to include unionism in key issues. Just as civic society and business sectors were involved in Brexit forums, so civic unionism along with other parts of wider society can be asked for their thoughts on issues around all-Ireland healthcare, growing the economy, continuing to ensure Ireland’s food security, addressing the climate crisis and how we build a transport network which helps us on the path to net zero. There are all issues about how we ensure that the everyday experience of everyone who lives across this island gets better. We know that alongside far right agitators based at home and overseas, there are many people who have genuine concerns. These people need to be listened to, so that we can understand their concerns. The Irish Government and the EU have both said recently that they intend to confront the challenges caused by unregulated social media which is stoking unrest. But this is only part of the answer. We also need to ensure that every citizen knows that the Irish Government is focused on creating the conditions where everyone has access to good healthcare, good housing, can access education to enable them to compete and succeed in the workplace, as well as know that as a society we are safeguarding the environment of our precious island and its fertile land, lakes and rivers.
We are also due to have the next Irish Presidential election by late 2025. Citizens in Northern Ireland should be able to vote for the next Head of State in this election. Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced in March 2017 that there would be a referendum on citizens living outside the 26 counties being able to vote in Irish presidential elections, including those in Northern Ireland. This followed a recommendation by a Constitutional Convention in 2013. Yet here we are in 2024 with no progress on this crucial issue. There has been no consultation and no legislation passed to enable this to happen. Ireland is strong in part because of its diaspora across the globe. These are people who care deeply about Ireland and want to see the country and its citizens succeed. We should recognise this and give them a say in who will be our next President. If we want to build a United Ireland we need to start by giving all Irish citizens who live across all parts of Ireland equal voting rights. We know that our citizens in the past have suffered by being disenfranchised and we must as a matter of urgency address this.
Former President Mary McAleese did amazing work through her ‘Building Bridges’ initiative and we need the next president to take a similar approach. Unionism is having to confront a rapidly changing political landscape and the president can play a supportive and encouraging role to help unionists to adjust to this new reality. The President can also be seen as a champion of rights for all communities and all parts of Irish society. We can both face down the far right agitators and offer respect and hope for all citizens. The next president can use their status and their Council of State to adopt an inclusive approach to government. Representatives from all parts of society including unionism can be appointed to the Council of State. Áras an Uachtaráin can become a warm house for unionism, as it should be for all people who live across Ireland. We know that King Charles has stated his desire to visit all 32 counties of Ireland and the next Irish Government can continue the good work of this government and NI Executive ministers in meeting with the British Monarch and welcoming him to all parts of Ireland.
The symbolism of the President of Ireland welcoming all communities to the Áras, the British King meeting with citizens across Ireland are the key steps we need to take now. The question of what the flag will be or what will be the national anthem can wait until we are further along the reunification process. But ultimately people want to see and be assured that they have access to a good education, good healthcare, job prospects, that they are respected and have a voice in choosing the government of the day.
The recent Olympics have shown that athletes from across all parts of Ireland and every background can represent this island with pride and success. The next Irish Government should follow up on its recent commitment to fund investment in sports across the island. Many of our sports already operate on an all-Ireland basis and we know that greater involvement in sport leads to better physical and mental health outcomes.
There is a unique opportunity for the next Irish Government to have its Field of Dreams moment. Kevin Costner’s character knew that if he built it, they will come. Members of the Irish Government know that if they prepare now, implement an all-Ireland approach and allocate money from the new sovereign wealth fund for reunification, we can ensure a smooth transition to a New Ireland. There will be a democratic vote to confirm Irish unity but we can look forward with confidence, an increased understanding of what it means and the support of wider society if we take these steps now.