Taoiseach and tánaiste set to meet to discuss Irish unification
The Irish premier and deputy premier will meet in the coming weeks to discuss a government approach to Irish unity, Micheál Martin has said.
It comes after Fine Gael launched its “blueprint” for Irish unity at the party’s ard fheis over the weekend.
The blueprint includes cost projections for a united Ireland as well as a proposal for a new junior minister for North-South relations in a dedicated unit within the Department of An Taoiseach and the establishment of a dedicated sovereign wealth fund to deal with the potential costs of transition.
The document also includes modelling of the economic “cost and opportunities” associated with unification, with tánaiste Simon Harris telling the ard fheis that his party wants to have an “honest and open conversation” on the issue.
Last week, taoiseach Mr Martin proposed that a chairperson be appointed to oversee research into potential future scenarios including Irish unification within five years of a referendum.
Mr Martin shared a briefing document with his Fianna Fáil parliamentary party which included a proposal for the establishment of the Futures Study Initiative, which would gather informed cross-community voices to explore three potential future core scenarios for the island, including a North/South reunification.
Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have accused other parties of having an over-simplistic view of Irish unity.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Irish parliament on Tuesday, Mr Martin said he has agreed to meet tanaiste Mr Harris in the coming weeks to discuss “a government approach to a range of issues."