Simon Harris’s letter invites all-island party leaders to discuss future constitution

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Tánaiste Simon Harris has written to every political party leader on the island, flagging an opportunity for “meaningful and respectful engagement” on future constitutional…

Tánaiste Simon Harris has written to every political party leader on the island, flagging an opportunity for “meaningful and respectful engagement” on future constitutional options.

The letter follows the publication last week of documents by Fine Gael that looked at the constitutional, identity and economic questions surrounding the unification of the island.

“No one political party owns the discussion about the future of this island, nor should any one party seek to determine its outcome,” said Harris, who promised earlier this year that Fine Gael would produce a “blueprint” for a unified Ireland.

“Irrespective of constitutional aspirations, there is much we can do together to strengthen relationships, deepen co-operation and improve the everyday lives of people across the island.”

Besides Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the letter has been sent to Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Labour’s Ivana Bacik, and the Social Democrats’ acting leader, Cian O’Callaghan.

It also went to Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín, along with Independent Ireland’s Michael Collins, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman and People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd-Barrett.

In Northern Ireland, Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson was issued a copy, as were the Ulster Unionists’ Jon Burrows, the SDLP’s Claire Hanna, Traditional Unionist Voice’s Jim Allister and Alliance’s Naomi Long.

The Fine Gael documents propose the creation of a 1980s-style standing forum on constitutional matters, along with the appointment of a new minister of State for North-South relations.

In addition, responsibility for dealing with Northern Ireland would transfer to the Department of the Taoiseach from the Department of Foreign Affairs, where it has resided for decades. A new constitutional planning unit would also be established.

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