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Long-term plan- There is nothing
ning and preparation is Smith Sidesteps to stop the European
required for a united Ireland, Union from actively pro-
an Irish senator has said. moting Irish unity, a Sinn
Mark Daly said the Brexit Questions On Early Féin MEP has claimed.
crisis showed the unforeseen Martina Anderson
consequences of holding a made the comments
referendum without proper Elections’ Impact On ahead of the launch of a IRISH EXAMINER | October 30th, 2019
preliminary steps. new report which sets
out five steps for the EU
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Government to
has previously warned that Power-Sharing take to “advance the
now is not the time to pre- debate” on the reunifica-
pare for a referendum on a he Northern Ireland Prime Minister seems absolute- weeks to make sure we do get tion of Ireland.
united Ireland. Secretary has refused to ly hellbent on having an early the executive up and running The document,
Mr Daly said: “The major Tanswer whether plans for a general election, could the and we do focus on that as our described as an inde-
lesson for Ireland from the December general election would Secretary of State just take a priority.” pendent legal report, will
Brexit crisis is the unforeseen jeopardize attempts to restore few moments and explain how The Northern Ireland be launched by Ms
consequences of holding a Stormont. helpful or not an early general (Executive Formation etc) Act Anderson with her party
referendum without proper Julian Smith said he would election would be to his efforts, 2019 decriminalized abortion in colleague and Belfast
planning. “swerve” the question when his genuine efforts, to see the Northern Ireland, with the Lord Mayor John
“A united Ireland requires asked by Independent MP Lady institutions of the general change coming into effect last Finucane on Monday.
long-term planning and Sylvia Hermon, adding some assembly and the executive week. The EU and Irish
preparation with all sides.” “extremely important issues” functioning again in Northern Labour’s Stella Creasy Unity: Planning and
He analyzed court docu- require “immediate attention” Ireland?” (Walthamstow), who cam- Preparing for
ments from victims’ cam- in Northern Ireland. Mr Smith replied: “I think paigned for the law change, said Constitutional Change in
Ireland, was written by
paigner Raymond McCord’s Conservative MP Simon it’s best that I swerve that ques- there was a need for Mr Smith academics.
recent legal challenge sur- Hoare, chairman of the tion, but I do think there are to “clarify” the regulations – Speaking ahead of the
rounding Brexit. Northern Ireland Affairs some extremely important noting this included about how report launch, Ms
Mr Daly said: “As it Committee, also said an early issues in Northern Ireland that doctors in Northern Ireland can Anderson said the
stands, a referendum on a general election “is not helpful” require immediate attention prescribe abortion pills to debate on Irish unity
when dealing with the restora-
and I want to focus with col-
women who wish to use them.
united Ireland could poten- tion of power-sharing. leagues on them over the com- In response to Ms Creasy, “has already begun
tially be decided by the The exchanges came as Mr ing days and weeks.” Mr Smith said: “She is right to across Ireland”.
Secretary of State before a Smith provided an update to Mr Hoare added: “But in the raise the issue of the fact we’ve “This report is a timely
single vote is cast. MPs, including on changes to heat and battle of a general elec- now moved into the shaping and informative contri-
“The Secretary of State for the abortion law in Northern tion campaign, there is no phase for the regulations. bution to that debate,
Northern Ireland cannot say Ireland – which led to calls for scope for those discussions to “We’re launching the con- examining all aspects of
the majority are or are not in him to issue clearer guidance continue, and dare I say it, it sultation – she’s right, we were Irish unity and the role of
favor of a united Ireland until for women. slightly prejudges what the out- a few days later than we’d the EU,” she said.
it is decided who will be Speaking in the Commons, come might be – were there to hoped, but we will be produc- She added that it “sets
allowed to vote in a referen- Mr Smith expressed disappoint- be a hung Parliament after that, ing that over the next few days. out the pathway to Irish
dum.” ment at having to extend the or the Labour Party in office or “We are reflecting on the unity contained in the
He said there was an period to enable an executive to whatever, then the whole thing advice that we are getting from Good Friday Agreement
urgent need for more policy form to January 13, 2020. changes again. royal colleges and from many and what the EU can do
to support and secure
and greater clarity. “Whilst the political parties “This early general election others, and I would appreciate it”.
Mr Varadkar has said the continue to be unable to reach is not helpful, let us be frank. It the opportunity to talk through Ms Anderson said that
time is not right to begin offi- accommodation, public servic- is not helpful to the timely with her, once we’ve launched in the report, the authors
restoration of Stormont.”
es in Northern Ireland continue
that consultation, how we
cial planning for a referen- to deteriorate, hospital waiting Mr Smith replied: “All I can address the issues that she’s say there is no legal or
dum on Irish unity. lists get longer and frustration say is I will do whatever I can raised on provision and ensuring constitutional barrier to
A recent poll revealed continues to grow,” he said. over the coming days and there is access to services.” C the EU actively promot-
more than two-thirds of vot- Mr Smith noted he had held ing Irish unity.
ers in Northern Ireland discussions with all five main “It also sets out five
believe Brexit will make a political parties and contact steps the EU and Irish
United Ireland more likely would continue in the coming Government can take to
within the next 10 years. weeks, adding: “The issues that advance the debate on
Senator Daly said: “My remain between the parties are unity and, ultimately,
response to the Taoiseach is few in number and they are sol- creating a new Ireland
that policy neglect seldom uble in substance. within the EU,” she
goes unpunished and we “It’ll take real commitment added.
According to the terms
are well aware that Northern for the main parties to reach a of the Belfast Agreement,
Ireland has a tragic history of compromise on those issues, a referendum on Irish
denying people the right to but just this weekend both of unity can only be called
vote. The future referendum the largest parties said that they by the Northern Ireland
want to make and restore the
on a united Ireland cannot institutions as soon as possible.” Secretary if it appears
be another chapter in that North Down MP Sylvia likely a majority would
story.” C vote in favor.C
Hermon later asked: “Since the

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