Sinn Féin proposes Citizens’ Assembly and Green Paper to prepare for Irish unity

Sinn Féin unveils plans for a Citizens’ Assembly and Green Paper to guide dialogue and policy development toward a potential future of Irish unity.

Sinn Féin proposes Citizens’ Assembly and Green Paper to prepare for Irish unity
Liberal TR Haber Merkezi
Publish: 07.07.2026
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Sinn Féin has introduced legislation in the Dáil to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on Irish unity in the Republic of Ireland, party leader Mary Lou McDonald announced on Tuesday, with the primary outcome intended to advance planning and preparation for a potential United Ireland.

The proposed Citizens’ Assembly would consist of 99 citizens and a moderator, typically an expert, tasked with discussing Irish unity in depth and reporting back to the Irish government; previous assemblies in the Republic addressed abortion laws and drug policy reform.

The bill also provides for the government to publish a Green Paper on preparation for constitutional change, covering areas such as the economy, health and housing, and would require the taoiseach to consult with unionist and Protestant representatives, civil society groups, other political traditions, experts and underrepresented groups.

Sinn Féin delegates including Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Stormont ministers and MLAs visited Leinster House in Dublin to support the legislation as it was brought forward for a vote in the Dáil on Tuesday.

The Irish government had considered tabling a counter motion but decided instead to oppose the Sinn Féin bill without a counter motion, a cabinet decision reached at a virtual meeting on Tuesday; as a result the legislation is expected to be voted down in the Dáil.

A government source cited concerns about timing, noting ongoing work to strengthen ties with the British government and the Shared Island initiative, while Sinn Féin maintained that preparations must begin now and described Irish unity as a matter of “when, not if.”

Fine Gael has indicated it is developing its own blueprint for Irish unity, with that work expected to conclude by November, and McDonald said many members across parties recognised the logic of preparing for constitutional change.

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Liberal TR Haber Merkezi
Liberal TR Haber Merkezi
A digital news platform delivering developments in Türkiye and the world to its readers with an objective and principled perspective. Liberal TR Haber Merkezi.
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