Tánaiste seeks views on Irish unity from party leaders

Updated / Saturday, 14 Nov 2026 00:55

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 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.

"This is why I believe this must be an inclusive conversation, informed by evidence... and grounded firmly in the Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent," added the Minister for Finance.

The Wicklow TD sent his party's blueprint on Irish unity to each party leader, telling them, "I would very much welcome your views on the proposals and the wider issues raised, including areas where we might identify common ground or where further consideration is required".

Earlier this month, Mr Martin proposed that a chairperson be appointed to oversee research into potential future scenarios including unification within five years of a referendum.

He also shared a briefing document within his Fianna Fáil parliamentary party which included a proposal for the establishment of the Futures Study Initiative, which would gather informed cross-community voices to explore three potential future core scenarios for the island, including a North/South reunification.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald has said the Government must act and not delay when it comes to Irish reunification.

The Coalition opposed Sinn Féin legislation in July that, if accepted, would have compelled the Taoiseach to produce a Green Paper examining the implications of constitutional change within 18 months.

In August, the British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a border poll "was off the table".