Author | Lightnews

New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Aug 14

Building a new Ireland is about changing the record for people in every community on our island , regardless of their background, who have been badly served by the failure to deliver good public services, high quality housing and new economic opportunities.

Image of Colum Eastwood MP at St Mary’s University College during Féile an Phobail.

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This constitutional context isn't working. It doesn't work for young nationalists in Derry. It doesn't work for young unionists in Belfast.

It's not reconciliation OR unity. It's reconciliation AND unity. And better public services for everyone who lives here.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Aug 13

Our mission is to build a new Ireland by winning a referendum. That means we need to understand the needs, hopes, concerns and fears of everyone but particularly people in the middle who are open to change.

@columeastwood.ie speaking to @dmcbfs.bsky.social at Féile an Phobail.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Mar 3

Welcome news that the Irish Government is engaging in the detailed work of examining the cost of harmonising services in a New Ireland.

This practical preparation is essential and will help build the case for change. www.irishnews.com/news/norther...

Irish government begins work of costing out a United Ireland

Irish government begins costing for reunification

www.irishnews.com

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Feb 24

The gap between support for Irish unity and Northern Ireland staying in the UK has narrowed to 7% in the past year new poll finds.

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politic...

NI voters still favour the Union over a united Ireland – but gap narrows to 7%, poll finds

The gap between support for Irish unity and Northern Ireland staying in the UK has narrowed in the past year.

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 18

“There is a real opportunity between now and the next set of elections to realign the debates on constitutional change between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.”

Read more from Dr David McCann on our important year in the @irishnews.com @dmcbfs.bsky.social www.irishnews.com/opinion/davi...

David McCann: Colum Eastwood and his New Ireland Commission have an important year ahead

There is a real opportunity between now and the next set of elections to realign the debates on constitutional change north and south

www.irishnews.com

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 15

Catch our chairman @columeastwood.ie on BBC Northern Ireland’s Sunday Politics today talking about our work and the opportunity to build a New Ireland.

Colum Eastwood MP @columeastwood.ie · Dec 15

The future we’re working to build is based on better public services, a more open economy, more opportunities for the next generation to make a life for themselves here.

That’s the prize of a New Ireland for me.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

For a full assessment of manifesto pledges, you can read our publication ‘Pledging a new future together’ available on the New Ireland Commission website:

newirelandcommission.com/wp-content/u...

newirelandcommission.com

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

The Social Democrats set out some fundamental changes required of the state before a unity referendum including the introduction of a universal healthcare system.

The party also proposed a Green Paper on unity and an expansion of North-South cooperation.

Purple background with an image of Social Democrats candidates at a press conference in the upper centre.

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A Green Paper presented following comprehensive discussion with all stakeholders in advance of a Border Poll.

Areas of co-operation should be expanded regarding public health, out of hours GP services and specialist hospital services.

Fundamental challenges must be addressed in the Republic of Ireland in advance of any unification process including a universal healthcare system.

Constitutional reform to ensure
absolute separation of Church and State.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

The Labour Party set out a comprehensive range of commitments which included a new government Department responsible for reunification with a Minister of State.

The party also proposes a new Oireachtas committee to assist the government and an Academic Council to provide research for a Green Paper.

Red background with a picture of the Labour Parliamentary Party in the upper centre.

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A new Department of Unification responsible for reconciliation, harmonisation, integration, and unity planning under the remit of the Taoiseach.

A standalone senior Ministry in advance of a future referendum.

A new Joint Oireachtas Committee to oversee, assist, and advise on the preparatory work of the Government.

An academic advisory council to provide the best available domestic and international research leading to a Green Paper on all the issues.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

Fine Gael pledged to continue the work of the last Irish Government in resetting Irish-British relations and using the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to create opportunities for collaboration and prosperity.

Turquoise background with a picture of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party in the upper centre.

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Collaborate closely with the UK Government and reset Irish-UK relations.

Build a future of economic prosperity through the Shared Island initiative.

Work together on a North-South, East-West basis and strive to improve the lives of everyone across these islands through collaboration and partnership.

Collaborate closely with the UK Government recognising that the peace process thrives when both governments act as full partners and co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

Sinn Féin’s manifesto set out structural changes to a future Irish Government to prioritise planning for unity.

These included a new Minister of State for reunification, a joint committee of the Oireachtas and a series of citizen’s assemblies.

Green background with a picture of the Sinn Féin parliamentary party in the upper centre.

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Commence planning for and actively working toward the holding, by the end of this decade, of the referendums on Irish reunification.

Produce a government 'Green Paper' in the first 100 days setting out our vision for a New and United Ireland.

Establish a 'Reunification and One Ireland' unit within the Department of An Taoiseach, with a Minister of State for Reunification and One Ireland.

Establish a joint Oireachtas Committee and citizens assemblies on reunification and future constitutional change.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

The Fianna Fáil manifesto made a significant additional financial commitment to the Shared Island Fund and to hardwiring shared island projects into the work of every department.

The party also pledged to ramp up research on future constitutional arrangements.

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Increase the resources available to the Shared Island Fund by an additional €1bn.

Introduce specific targets for each government department to come forward with new Shared Island projects.

Undertake significantly more research to understand the full extent of differences and similarities between the current jurisdictions on vital issues.

Engage with parties on areas where work can be done to develop essential proposals concerning future constitutional arrangements.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Dec 9

The election is over but coalition formation negotiations are just starting.

We believe there’s space for a common platform on advancing Irish unity after assessing each of the party manifestos.

Here are some of the key pledges each party made.

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New Ireland Commission

What were the parties saying about Irish Unity during the election?

New Ireland Commission urges parties to adopt 'common platform' in government formation talks.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Nov 27

Irish unity quietly becoming more significant for Dáil parties www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...

Irish unity quietly becoming more significant for Dáil parties

Voters are not talking about Irish unity, but an increasing number of politicians are convinced issue will occupy more time in years ahead

www.irishtimes.com

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Nov 26

We were delighted to host a conversation with @columeastwood.ie , @leovaradkartd.bsky.social and young people in Derry a few weeks ago to hear their ideas about the future of our island.

We’re about convening the ideas for change that will unite people and communities across Ireland. #newireland

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Nov 23

The broad base of commitments and ideas produced in manifestos ahead of next week’s election is a good indication that parties are thinking seriously about how government can meaningfully advance unification.

We are committed to convening those big ideas. www.irishnews.com/news/politic...

Manifestos’ unity commitments welcomed by New Ireland Commission chair

Colum Eastwood said pledges on Irish reunification ahead of next week’s general election reflected the growing debate around constitutional chang

www.irishnews.com

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Nov 22

Today we published an assessment of manifesto pledges on #IrishUnity made ahead of next week’s general #election.

The Commission wrote to leaders earlier this month asking them to make a clear commitment to unity as an objective of government.

newirelandcommission.com/wp-content/u...

New Ireland Commission document:

A green background with a picture of government buildings at the bottom.

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PLEDGING A NEW FUTURE TOGETHER

An assessment of election manifestos and their commitments to advancing the case for Irish Unity in the Irish General Election.

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New Ireland Commission @newireland.bsky.social · Nov 14

We heard there was a place for some #blueskythinking?

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