Tánaiste seeks views on Irish unity from party leaders

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The Tánaiste Simon Harris has written to all political leaders across the island to seek their views on Irish unity and to explore what common ground exists on Irish reunification.

The Tánaiste Simon Harris has written to all political leaders across the island to seek their views on Irish unity and to explore what common ground exists on Irish reunification.

The Fine Gael leader's correspondence comes after his party last weekend published a "blueprint" for Irish unity at its Ard Fheis, with projections it could cost up to €25 billion a year.

The party's proposals also include 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 the transition.

It all comes with a renewed focus on Irish unity in recent months following comments by US President Donald Trump during his Irish visit in September and with Fianna Fáil and Sinn Fein also pushing renewed proposals on how to achieve reunification.

Mr Harris has contacted Fianna Fáil's Michael Martin, Sinn Féin 's Mary Lou McDonald, the Social Democrats' Cian O'Callaghan, the Labour Party's Ivana Bacik, Independent Ireland's Michael Collins, People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett, Aontu's Peadar Toibin and the Green Party's Roderic O' Gorman seeking their views on Irish unity.

He has also contacted leaders at Stormont, including the DUP's Gavin Robinson, the UUP's John Burrows, the TUV's Jim Allister, the SDLP's Claire Hanna and Naomi Long of the Alliance Party, asking for their views on Fine Gael's recent proposals.

Mr Harris wrote: "There are complex questions to be addressed, from healthcare and education to public finances, political institutions and identity.

"There will be differing views and difficult conversations, but complexity cannot become an excuse for inaction.

"No one political party owns the discussion about the future of this island, nor should any one party seek to determine its outcome.

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