Taoiseach tells party of Futures Study Initiative plans

Updated / Tuesday, 3 Nov 2026 18:01

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The Taoiseach has updated his party tonight on plans for a new initiative to debate future constitutional arrangements on the island of Ireland.

Micheál Martin said it was essential to avoid the failure of the last century, where initiatives ended up with one side talking with itself and reinforcing division.

Mr Martin believes that people must have access to trustworthy information about the practical implications of different constitutional frameworks.

The Futures Study Initiative will seek to provide an objective, independent knowledge base which can be used to inform positions, he said.

It would be led by a recongised independent figure, so that people can engage in informed debate about their proposals for the future.

"In this it would provide a good faith opportunity for those outside the nationalist tradition to participate.

"Critically, it would challenge all traditions to move from making general assertions about the future to engaging with hard evidence," the Taoiseach told his party.

Mr Martin said it was essential to recognise that a substantial part of the population of Northern Ireland will continue to have a British identity which must be respected.

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The Initiative will look at three core constitutional scenarios:

1. A single unitary republic, governed by institutions primarily based in Dublin which would be fully in place within a maximum of five years of a unification referendum, and which would continue the minority and identity guarantees but not the devolved government provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.

2. An all-island state with devolved government in Northen Ireland in a manner similar to that which currently operates under Strand One of the Good Friday Agreement and with the continuation of other core elements of inter-governmental cooperation contained in the Agreement.

3. Long-term cooperation and shared development in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement without constitutional change.

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The main areas to be addressed are constitutional and legal change. This includes parliamentary and other powers and points of conflict between NI practice and those of the Republic. There would be a recognition of the continued UK role concerning the rights of the minority.

Economic matters which would be examined include all issues relating to fiscal and economic convergence (including taxation and social supports), and the replacement of Sterling and GB-based regulation. Plus, the continuation of British market access for NI while adopting closer alignment to EU.

Both the integration and the continued separation of the health and education systems will be examined too.

On security, the Taoiseach said the integration or continued separation of security forces will be analysed as would broader defence and international engagement issues.

Symbols and cultural policies will be scrutinised in order to ensure inclusiveness.

A dedicated secretariat for the process would be established in the Department of Taoiseach.

Each political party and activist group will be invited to make submissions.

Fianna Fáil will also set up a committee to participate in this work. It is understood that Brendan Smith, Erin McGreehan and Pat the Cope Gallagher could serve on this committee.