Gerry Adams Calls On Irish Govt To Prepare For Irish Unity

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has called on the Irish government to begin the work of planning for Irish unity.

Mr Adams was speaking at a party event in Dublin on Wednesday evening, to mark 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and the referendums North and South that gave overwhelming public support to the Agreement.

Speaking at the event, Mr Adams said: "The Irish people have the right to self-determination. We have the right to determine our own future, without outside interference, peacefully and democratically. That is a central part of the Good Friday Agreement.

"There is growing evidence from a succession of elections, academic reports and opinion polls that support for the reunification of Ireland is growing. Last week's local government election in the North is the latest example of this.

"The Good Friday Agreement created a mechanism for constitutional change through referendums. It was overwhelmingly endorsed in referendums North and South.

"There is a constitutional obligation on the Irish government – including as a co-guarantor of the Agreement - to advance the objective of unity. That means planning now and engaging in a process of inclusive dialogue that ensures that the process of constitutional change is democratic and seamless.

"The Irish government should establish a Citizen's Assembly to begin the work of planning. It should agree with the British government a firm date for the unity referendum provided for by the Good Friday Agreement.

"I am not suggesting that this should take place immediately but the Irish Government should seek a date now which allows for inclusive preparation to begin. And that preparatory work should start now."