Fine Gael to publish blueprint on Irish unity as Harris calls for 'serious' preparation

FINE GAEL IS to develop and publish a new blueprint for a unified Ireland later this year, Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced.

Speaking at an event in UCD marking the centenary of Garret FitzGerald’s birth, Harris said the party’s plan, which is due to be published at its ard fheis in November, would examine issues including the fiscal impact of unity, public services, and potential economic opportunities such as infrastructure, labour mobility and EU market access.

“This vision will define what a unified Ireland could mean in practical terms, politically, economically and societally,” Harris said.

He said political parties have a responsibility to engage constructively with the question of Irish unity, warning against what he described as “slogans, sentimentality, or simplistic assumptions”.

“We cannot be passive observers to change,” Harris said, adding that any discussion on constitutional change must be “prepared for, carefully, honestly and inclusively” and rooted in listening to people “north and south, and all traditions”.

Harris also dismissed the idea that now was not the right time to begin detailed preparation for constitutional change, arguing instead that the debate was “an essential step in building a new and better Ireland”.

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“Fundamentally we want a united, working island with long-term durable consent,” Harris said.

“This work is the necessary groundwork we need to do to develop unity of purpose, unity of vision and unity of our island. That work begins now.”

He said the work would be led by Fine Gael’s Northern Ireland Engagement Group and supported by academic Professor Deirdre Heenan.

The announcement prompted a response from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who welcomed what she called an overdue recognition of the need for preparation, but urged Harris to “put his money where his mouth is”.

“I suppose his first job is to convince his partner in government, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, to follow the same course,” McDonald said.

She called on Harris to support Sinn Féin legislation proposing a government-led green paper on reunification, an all-island citizens’ assembly and Oireachtas oversight of the process, arguing that “this needs to happen” to give the project real momentum.

McDonald said Fine Gael’s move should be followed by similar action from coalition partners, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and challenged the government to show “seriousness of intent” by backing formal structures for planning.

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