'There has been an undeniable acceleration now in the conversation on Irish unity'

Sinn Féin TDs for Donegal, Deputy Pearse Doherty and Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, have welcomed the signing in Cardiff of a Memorandum of Understanding between Sinn Féin, the SNP and Plaid Cymru, as the debate on Irish unity gathers real momentum at home and internationally.

The Cardiff agreement comes after a period in which Irish unity has moved further to the centre of political discussion, with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown publicly predicting a united Ireland and the US President openly speaking about his support for Irish unity during his visit to Ireland.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, Vice President Michelle O’Neill, SNP leader John Swinney and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth signed the Cardiff agreement.

It commits the three parties to stronger cooperation on fairer economies, renewable energy, European and international cooperation, and people's democratic right to determine their own constitutional future.

Teachta Doherty said: “There has been an undeniable acceleration now in the conversation on Irish unity. It is increasingly being recognised as a real and achievable political prospect. Momentum is building, the discussion is widening and the need to prepare is becoming more urgent.”

Teachta Doherty referred to a recent interview with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who said that “of course, in the long term, Ireland will be united,” and the words of Donald Trump, President of the United States, who said of Ireland: “I don't want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I'd love to see it unified. It's going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now.”

Teachta Doherty added: "A former British Prime Minister has said that, in the long term, Ireland will be united; the US President has openly spoken about his support for Irish unity; and today political leaders from Ireland, Scotland and Wales have met in Cardiff to discuss constitutional change.

“That is why the Irish government, and in particular Taoiseach Mícheál Martin, must now begin the serious work of preparing for a united Ireland, through an inclusive process of planning and dialogue involving every community and tradition.

“The British government should not frustrate democratic constitutional change. It should prepare for it, plan for it and facilitate it, as today’s agreement makes clear."

Teachta Mac Lochlainn added: “Ireland, Scotland and Wales have different histories and constitutional circumstances, but we share an important democratic principle - people have the right to determine their own future.

“In Ireland, that democratic pathway is clearly established in the Good Friday Agreement. The future of Ireland will be decided by the people of Ireland, north and south.

“There is also important practical work our parties can do together - sharing ideas on jobs, tackling inequality, renewable energy and European cooperation. Unity offers enormous potential - to build a stronger all-Ireland economy, deliver better public services, create better jobs, realise our energy potential and build a fairer society. For Ireland, the opportunity is to bring our country together and build a new Ireland that works better for everyone.”