McDonald says Martin is “irresponsible” on United Ireland issue

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has called Taoiseach Micheál Martin “blinkered” on the idea of a United Ireland.

The leader of the opposition was speaking following remarks from Martin at a party meeting in Tipperary last week.

Quotes carried by Martin appeared in the weekend newspapers, with the Taoiseach quoted as saying that the debate around a United Ireland drives him “bananas.”

The Taoiseach was quoted as saying that he was telling party representatives to “push back” on the idea of a referendum on the issue.

To Martin’s point, a United Ireland has not cracked the top 5 issues among voters in recent opinion polls for the Sunday Independent and Sunday Times, with the cost of living and housing regarded as more pressing issues for voters.

Despite this, McDonald called the Taoiseach “reckless” because he is “avoiding the serious and responsible work of preparing for constitutional change.”

She said “there is a particular irony in Micheál Martin making these remarks while marking 100 years of Fianna Fáil. Here is the leader of a party founded on a commitment to Irish unity, using its centenary to tell his own representatives to push back against the democratic pathway to achieving it.”

“The Good Friday Agreement provides a peaceful and democratic pathway to Irish unity. The sensible and responsible thing for an Irish government to do is prepare for that possibility so that change, when it comes, is planned, orderly and inclusive; yet Micheál Martin is telling his party to push back against that work. That is a deeply irresponsible position for any Taoiseach.”

The Dublin Central TD said “constitutional change is coming. The direction of travel is clear. The job of a Taoiseach is not to stick his head in the sand. It is to prepare responsibly and to lead. It is to prepare for the opportunity that lies ahead.”

“Micheál Martin says he wants substance rather than rhetoric. So where is the government plan for constitutional change? Where is the Green Paper on Irish unity? Where is the structured dialogue with communities North and South? Where is the work on healthcare, public services, taxation, pensions and the economy? Where is the engagement with unionists and others who are uncertain about constitutional change?,” she asked.

“The Shared Island initiative and investment in cross-border infrastructure are welcome, but they are no substitute for preparing for Irish unity. The Taoiseach has now admitted that he deliberately removed the constitutional question from Shared Island.

“Micheál Martin says we must bring people on a journey towards a new political future for this island. But you cannot credibly claim to lead a journey while refusing to prepare for where it may lead,” McDonald stated.

McDonald said that the Taoiseach invokes the Good Friday Agreement on a regular basis, but “recoils” on the democratic pathway to a United Ireland.

“Nobody is arguing for a reckless or unplanned process. Sinn Féin is arguing for the opposite – serious preparation, inclusive dialogue and a properly planned transition,” she asserted.

“Brexit changed the political landscape. Fine Gael is preparing proposals on unity and senior figures within Fianna Fáil itself are calling for preparation. Yet Micheál Martin’s response is to tell his own party to push back.”

“An Irish Taoiseach should not fear the democratic debate about the future of Ireland. He should lead it. Sticking your head in the sand is not a strategy. Refusing to prepare will not stop change from coming. It will only leave Ireland less prepared when it does,” she said.