SINN FÉIN TD for Clare Donna McGettigan has welcomed an agreement between Sinn Féin, the SNP and Plaid Cymru aimed at strengthening cooperation on constitutional change and other areas.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Cardiff by Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, Vice President Michelle O’Neill, SNP leader John Swinney and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.
The agreement commits the three parties to greater cooperation on areas including fairer economies, renewable energy, European and international cooperation, and the democratic right of people to determine their own constitutional future.
Ms McGettigan said the debate on Irish unity had accelerated, pointing to comments from former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US President Donald Trump in support of Irish unity.
“Irish unity is increasingly being recognised as a real and achievable political prospect,” she said.
“The conversation is widening, the momentum is building and the need to prepare is becoming more urgent.”
Ms McGettigan said Ireland, Scotland and Wales had different histories and constitutional circumstances but shared the democratic principle that people should have the right to determine their own future.
She said the Good Friday Agreement clearly established the democratic pathway for constitutional change on the island of Ireland.
“The future of Ireland will be decided by the people of Ireland, north and south,” she said.
Ms McGettigan said Irish unity could provide opportunities to build an all-island economy, create jobs, improve public services and develop Ireland’s energy potential.
She called on the Irish Government and Taoiseach Micheál Martin to begin preparing for Irish unity through an inclusive process involving different communities and traditions.
“The British government should not frustrate democratic constitutional change,” she said.
“It should prepare for it, plan for it and facilitate it, as today’s agreement makes clear.”
Ms McGettigan also said the three parties could work together on issues including jobs, inequality, renewable energy and European cooperation.
“For Ireland, the opportunity is to bring our country together and build a new Ireland that works better for everyone,” she said.
