Fine Gael is to develop a new blueprint for a unified island, which it will publish at the party’s Ard Fheis in November.
The announcement was made by Tánaiste Simon Harris at an event in UCD marking the centenary of the birth of Garret FitzGerald, reports RTE.
He said the publication would define what a unified Ireland could mean in practical terms — politically, economically and societally.
It will examine fiscal implications, public services and the economic opportunities that could arise from unity, reports RTE.
Mr Harris said Fine Gael must now engage seriously, responsibly and respectfully with the future of the island.
“We cannot be passive observers to change. Nor can we approach questions on the future constitutional status of this Island through slogans, sentimentality, or simplistic assumptions, as some other political parties on this island do,” he said, reports RTE.
The Fine Gael leader added that if constitutional change is to happen, it must be prepared for carefully, honestly and inclusively.
“It must involve listening. Listening to you, the members of Fine Gael. Listening to people north and south. Listening to all traditions,” reports RTE.
Mr Harris also rejected suggestions that now was not the right time to prepare for constitutional change.
“This conversation is an essential step in building a new and better Ireland,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr Harris said all political parties are “duty bound to make a positive, credible contribution” in preparations for unity.
He said the work will be led by the Fine Gael Northern Ireland Engagement Group and facilitated by academic Professor Deirdre Heenan, reports RTE.
Mr Harris added: “Our responsibility is to ensure that any discussion about the future is informed, inclusive and grounded in reality.
“Fine Gael believes that reconciliation, not triumphalism, that persuasion must come before politics, and that respect must be at the heart of every conversation,” reports RTE.
He described unity not as “an event” but as “a process requiring leadership, planning and patience.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was glad the Tánaiste had at last acknowledged the need to prepare for Irish reunification, reports RTE.
Ms McDonald said Mr Harris’s first task must be to convince Taoiseach Micheál Martin to follow the same course.
She said there is an urgent need for preparations on Irish unity and called on Simon Harris to support Sinn Féin’s legislation in the Dáil next week, which would require the Government to produce a green paper on Irish unity and convene an all-island assembly of citizens, reports RTE.
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