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Planning for a referendum on the reunification of Ireland is \u201cimperative\u201d, the leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has said.<\/p>\nPlanning for a referendum on the reunification of Ireland is \u201cimperative\u201d, the leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has said.<\/p>\n
It comes as new Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin announced there will be a new \u201cshared Ireland unit\u201d within the Department of the Taoiseach.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe new Government will move quickly to try to set out to fulfill the vision of the Good Friday Agreement. We will work closely with the democratic institutions in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new unit will give a renewed push to the agreement to deliver sustained progress of all communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary Lou McDonald extended her good wishes to the Mr Martin, but said \u201cthe century-old impulse to grab power\u201d has led to Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael coming together and does not represent change.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald called for the Government to start planning for a referendum on Irish unity and said it is \u201cimperative\u201d to growing the Irish economy.<\/p>\n
No government, not least a government in this period, should ignore the imperative of unity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe great national project of reunification is not included in the program for Government \u2013 not a whisper from your Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is especially concerning during the age of Brexit when the imperative to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts has never been greater.<\/p>\n
\u201cA united Ireland is the best idea for the future of our country. It essential to the prosperity of all our people because growing our economy requires an all-Ireland approach. Protecting our health service requires an all-Ireland approach. Getting ahead of Covid-19 and protecting our people\u2019s health requires an all-Ireland approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo government, not least a government in this period, should ignore the imperative of unity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt should be planning for change and planning for reunification and planning for that referendum as per the Good Friday Agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n