![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2.48652092.jpg\")
The DUP will not take part in a Citizens\u2019 Assembly in Dublin for a united Ireland, Arlene Foster has said.<\/p>\nThe DUP will not take part in a Citizens\u2019 Assembly in Dublin for a united Ireland, Arlene Foster has said.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in has been calling for the establishment of an all-Ireland Citizens\u2019 Assembly to discuss the potential for Irish unity.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he would not rule out a Citizens\u2019 Assembly but questioned whether unionists living in Northern Ireland would take part in it.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said if unionists living in Northern Ireland did not take part in the Citizens\u2019 Assembly, it would risk becoming a \u201cpan-nationalist\u201d assembly.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Ms Foster told BBC Radio Ulster her party would not take part in a Citizens\u2019 Assembly despite reports her party colleague Nigel Dodds said the DUP would.<\/p>\n
The Irish News reported on Friday that Mr Dodds said the DUP will consider proposals for a Citizens\u2019 Assembly examining Irish unity but that dialogue must be conducted \u201cfirst and foremost\u201d through political representatives.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said that is not the position of the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Nigel thought that question was relating to the civic arena in Northern Ireland and not a Citizens\u2019 Assembly in the Republic of Ireland,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not be involving ourselves in any all-Ireland civic forum because we believe in the Union,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, if you read our manifesto and if you read our 12-point plan, you will see that we\u2019re very much focusing on next generation unionism.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to build Northern Ireland inside the United Kingdom in a very strong way, have the United Kingdom Cabinet meetings here in Northern Ireland, have a reform of the British-Irish Council so it is more meaningful and to look at the joint ministerial council meetings which take place between Westminster, Scotland, Wales and ourselves so that is a more meaningful process.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not focusing on a united Ireland; we\u2019re focused on the United Kingdom and building a stronger United Kingdom,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said on Tuesday if unionists living in Northern Ireland did not take part in the Citizens\u2019 Assembly, it would skew the results.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI think we need to bear in mind \u2013 would unionists participate in the Citizens\u2019 Assembly? A million of them, making up half the population in Northern Ireland on a very significant minority on this island. Would British citizens living in Northern Ireland participate in the Citizens\u2019 Assembly?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if they would not, that would fundamentally change the nature of that Citizens\u2019 Assembly, because it would seek to discuss the constitutional future of this island.\u201d<\/p>\n