Start sovereign wealth fund to pay for costs of unification, says Fine Gael

A sovereign wealth fund should be created to “begin prudent long-term” financial planning to pay for the costs of Irish unification, Fine Gael has declared in its “blueprint” on unity.

Meanwhile, efforts must be made immediately to expand North-South co-operation, including a possible merger of IDA Ireland with Northern Ireland’s foreign direct investment agency, the party said.

Publishing a series of reports on issues that will need to be tackled, Fine Gael said everything possible to advance “practical all-island co-operation” should happen.

A standing constitutional forum should be established for “structured political, civic and public consideration of the choices that could arise in advance of any referendum”.

Detailed work should begin on the questions that would arise for public services, taxation, pensions, welfare, economic transition, security and future institutional arrangements.

Meanwhile, the “constitutional planning capacity” of the Department of the Taoiseach should be increased so that the Government can carry out “serious, evidence-based preparation across departments”.

A minister of state for North-South relations should be appointed, too, though there is nothing in the report to indicate this would happen in the lifetime of the current Government

The report, from Fine Gael’s Northern Ireland Engagement Group, followed a pledge from the party leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris, in June, to have “a blueprint” for unity ready for this week’s Fine Gael Ardfheis.

It comes after the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced a separate plan to examine options for unity.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin (the Electoral Commission) should be asked to produce proposals to extend voting rights to Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland in presidential elections, a longstanding demand of many living there.

The Government should set the terms of reference for the work to be done by the Commission, though it should “be informed by wider public engagement” and remain subject to a referendum in the Republic.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael said it would act to ensure there is “more consistent representation of Northern Irish voices in the Oireachtas”, using the 11 places in the upper chamber in the hands of the Taoiseach.

The party will seek meetings “with every political party across the island to present these proposed recommendations, listen to their perspectives and identify opportunities for further dialogue and co-operation”.

Harris, in a foreword to the report, stated that Irish unity cannot simply be about changing constitutional arrangements or removing an invisible border.

“It must be about bringing people together, building trust and creating a shared future in which every identity, tradition and community is respected. It is in this spirit that Fine Gael has undertaken this work.

“Our commitment to Irish unity is deeply rooted in our history, our political tradition and our belief in the potential of this island and all of its people,” he said, citing the role played by former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald.

The chair of the party’s Northern Ireland Engagement Group, Dublin West TD Emer Currie, who has led the work that has taken place since June, said: “For me, the ambition of a unified island is deeply personal.

“It is rooted in my family history, my upbringing in County Tyrone, and the values of equality, respect and reconciliation that have shaped my life. My father, Austin, dedicated his life to civil rights, equality and peaceful constitutional change.”

The report said the IDA, InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland should join together to strengthen the all-island economy and attract greater foreign direct investment into Northern Ireland.

“This partnership would leverage IDA Ireland’s international expertise and networks, alongside the capabilities of InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland, to promote shared investment opportunities.”

The longer-term objective could be to explore the establishment of an enhanced North–South Investment and Industrial Development Body, subject to agreement between Dublin and Stormont.