Supporters of the Union must challenge the romantic all-island talk from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael

The new coalition government in Dublin has given a commitment to establish a united Ireland unit.

This is a new wheeze by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and is more aspirational than anything else.

The vast majority of people here, from all faiths and none, are happy to see Northern Ireland remain within the family of UK nations.

There are unionists who are solidly pro-Union and there are nationalists and republicans who aspire to a united Ireland but remain broadly content with the status quo.

That’s the situation that should continue. What’s needed now is a determined, all-out effort to counter this latest piece of political pandering. That means people, more than parties, must find their voices.

There are hundreds of thousands of people like me who want practical, meaningful and respectful relations with Dublin, but are committed to the Union. Generally, these people don’t shout about it and that leads to pro-united Ireland supporters believing they would acquiesce.

We have to set out in cogent language the clear practical benefits of remaining where we are. We have to highlight our health provision and our tariff-free economic ties with our largest market, Great Britain.

We must refute the notions and romanticism that comes from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and instead seek a better way of delivering mutual respect for one another on this island which we all share.

As a way of reaching out to unionists, and as an act of good faith, it would be a big step forward if the Republic of Ireland was to apply to re-join the Commonwealth.

We are told that a ‘united island unit’ will work towards consensus on a united island. If the two parties set to be in government in Dublin are serious, they should take a different approach and instead make respect, understanding and acceptance the cornerstones of any new political, island-wide initiative.”

Alan Dunlop, Northern Ireland Conservatives

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