Latest releases
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366 releases
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Dublin City Council calls for Citizens’ Assembly on Irish Unity – Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha
Sinn Féin Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha says Dublin City Council has backed a motion urging the Irish government to set up an all-Ireland Citizens' Assembly on constitutional futures, citing growing interest in Irish unity and the Shared Island funding.
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Dublin City Council motion on all-Ireland Citizens' Assembly on Irish Unity Original release: Dublin City Council calls for Citizens’ Assembly on Irish Unity – Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood challenges British Government on criteria for unity referendum
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to publish clear criteria for an Irish unity referendum, saying democratic transparency is needed after a Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence powers.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence referendum Original release: Eastwood challenges British Government on criteria for unity referendum (opens in a new tab)
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Chris MacManus MEP hosts launch of ‘Making the Case for Irish Unity in the EU’ report by Colin Harvey and Mark Bassett
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus hosted the European Parliament launch of a report by Professor Colin Harvey and Mark Bassett on legal routes for Irish unity within the EU. He says the EU should actively prepare for constitutional change on the island.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Making the Case for Irish Unity in the EU report launch Original release: Chris MacManus MEP hosts launch of ‘Making the Case for Irish Unity in the EU’ report by Colin Harvey and Mark Bassett (opens in a new tab)
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Our goal must be stability, not instability – Ian Paisley
DUP MP Ian Paisley introduces a Bill on constitutional referenda across the UK's constituent nations, proposing that a 50% +1 vote to end a union should only suffice if at least half of those entitled to vote back it. He says the Bill aims to start a conversation rather than bind future Parliaments.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Paisley call for supermajority in future constitutional referendum Original release: Our goal must be stability, not instability – Ian Paisley (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley Westminster proposal misguided and hypocritical, says O’Lynn
Alliance MLA Patricia O'Lynn condemns a DUP-backed Westminster proposal from Ian Paisley Jr MP requiring a supermajority for referendums on changing Northern Ireland's constitutional status, calling it misguided, gimmicky and hypocritical. She says the DUP should return to Stormont instead.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Paisley call for supermajority in future constitutional referendum Original release: Paisley Westminster proposal misguided and hypocritical, says O’Lynn (opens in a new tab)
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Empey welcomes Government clarity in ruling out the possibility of Joint Authority
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey welcomes a written answer from NIO Minister Lord Caine confirming the Government will not consider joint authority for Northern Ireland. He says it should end talk of joint authority between London and Dublin, which he calls unhelpful.
Constitutional affairs Issue: NIO written answer ruling out joint authority for Northern Ireland Original release: Empey welcomes Government clarity in ruling out the possibility of Joint Authority (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: All votes remain equal despite Paisley stunt
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna says a new Ireland will be decided through the mechanisms in the Good Friday Agreement, dismissing DUP MP Ian Paisley's call for a 'supermajority' in any future constitutional referendum as a stunt designed to distract from the DUP's problems.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Paisley call for supermajority in future constitutional referendum Original release: Hanna: All votes remain equal despite Paisley stunt (opens in a new tab)
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Archibald welcomes support for Professor Colin Harvey
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes Queen's University's public support for Professor Colin Harvey amid threats and abuse toward him. She calls on the university to publicly acknowledge that permission to use its logo on his publications was sought and granted, and urges political unionist…
Constitutional affairs Education Issue: Threats and abuse towards Professor Colin Harvey over constitutional publications Original release: Archibald welcomes support for Professor Colin Harvey (opens in a new tab)
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Everyone should be free to take part in discussion on the future – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says everyone should be free to join an informed debate on Ireland's constitutional future. She calls on unionist politicians to stop attempts to stifle academic debate after criticism of Professor Colin Harvey's Irish Unity report and his university logo, and urges…
Constitutional affairs Education Issue: Criticism of Professor Colin Harvey's Irish Unity report and university logo use Original release: Everyone should be free to take part in discussion on the future – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Joint Authority would be a fatal blow to Belfast Agreement - Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie MLA rejects SDLP leader Colum Eastwood's call for Joint Authority over Northern Ireland, saying any such change would breach the Belfast Agreement's principle of consent. He calls for focus on restoring Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP calls for Joint Authority over Northern Ireland Original release: Joint Authority would be a fatal blow to Belfast Agreement - Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Government must establish All-Island Citizens Assembly on Constitutional Change – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus calls on the Irish Government to set up an all-island Citizens Assembly, including the diaspora, to examine constitutional change, speaking at a Crann na Saoirse planting at the Jim Gralton Monument in Leitrim. He also says EU institutions should engage with civic…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Government must establish All-Island Citizens Assembly on Constitutional Change – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Space for all voices in New Ireland discussion – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew urges people from all backgrounds to take part in the New Ireland debate, speaking at a Time For Irish Unity event in Westminster. She calls for the Irish government to set up a Citizens' Assembly so the public can have its say.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Space for all voices in New Ireland discussion – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Farry gives evidence to Seanad Committee on constitutional future
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has given evidence to a Seanad Éireann committee on Ireland's constitutional future. He says Alliance does not define itself by the constitutional question and wants debate to move to detailed points on structures, finances and public services.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Seanad committee hearing on constitutional future of Ireland Original release: Farry gives evidence to Seanad Committee on constitutional future (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Peoples Assembly calls on Irish Government to establish a Citizen’s Assembly
Sinn Féin says a Belfast Peoples Assembly attended by over 300 people backed, by a show of hands, a call on the Irish Government to set up a Citizens' Assembly on constitutional change. Michelle O'Neill MLA, Sinn Féin's Leas Uachtarán, also urged both governments to prepare for it.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish government Citizens’ Assembly on New Ireland Original release: Belfast Peoples Assembly calls on Irish Government to establish a Citizen’s Assembly (opens in a new tab)
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‘Everyone should join the inclusive conversation on the future’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill urges people of all backgrounds to join the conversation on a New Ireland and calls on the Irish government to set up a Citizens’ Assembly to prepare for constitutional change under the Good Friday Agreement.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish government Citizens’ Assembly on New Ireland Original release: ‘Everyone should join the inclusive conversation on the future’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance hitch themselves to all-Ireland bandwagon
TUV South Antrim spokesperson Mel Lucas accuses Alliance of seeking to reconcile with Republicans after its MLA Stephen Farry was named as a panellist with Sinn Féin and the SDLP at an Irish unity event in London, and asks whether Alliance is drifting towards a nationalist position.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stephen Farry panel appearance at Ireland's Future event in London Original release: Alliance hitch themselves to all-Ireland bandwagon (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Conference 2022 - Stephen Dunne MLA
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne, addressing the 2022 DUP Annual Conference as North Down MLA, says the party offers grassroots representation and backs the Union, and argues Westminster is best placed to protect households facing soaring bills.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: DUP Conference 2022 - Stephen Dunne MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Irish Government’s intention to plan for Irish Unity
Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy welcomes remarks by Paschal Donohoe that Dublin will begin planning public finances with Irish unity in mind. Murphy says the southern state's revenue and spending data can inform the debate on paying for services.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Donohoe comments on planning public finances for Irish unity Original release: Murphy welcomes Irish Government’s intention to plan for Irish Unity (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland's Future attendees must face up to what they campaigned for
DUP MP Gregory Campbell criticises an 'Ireland's Future' event in Dublin, calling attendees navel-gazers who ignore the reality of Northern Ireland. He says the 2021 census shows the end of majority rule, so attendees who campaigned for it must now face what consensus and agreement mean.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's Future conference in Dublin, October 2022 Original release: Ireland's Future attendees must face up to what they campaigned for (opens in a new tab)
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Join the conversation on Irish Unity – Kearney
Sinn Féin chair Declan Kearney describes Saturday's Dublin conference on constitutional change as a pivotal moment for debate on Irish unity. He announces a Belfast Peoples' Assembly on 12 October, opened by Mary Lou McDonald, with registration open and submissions invited online.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's Future conference in Dublin, October 2022 Original release: Join the conversation on Irish Unity – Kearney (opens in a new tab)