Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
62. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on whether clear criteria should be put in place for the decision on whether or not there is a referendum on a United Ireland; the timing of such a referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8344/26]
View answerAs the Programme for Government states, this Government is 'committed to the unity of the Irish people and believes that this can only be achieved through a sustained focus on and investment in reconciliation and we remain steadfast in implementing the Good Friday Agreement in full'.
Our approach to unity is guided by Article 3 of the Constitution, as amended by the people in 1998 to incorporate the framework set out in the Good Friday Agreement.
Under that framework, the responsibility for calling a referendum on constitutional change rests with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
He is obliged to call a referendum if it appears likely to him that there is a majority in favour of a united Ireland.
The Secretary of State has stated publicly that he does not believe this standard has been met.
I am aware that there has been debate regarding what criteria the Secretary of State might rely upon in order to make his assessment, and whether those should be published.
The matter has also come before the courts in Northern Ireland, which found that the evaluation is a political judgement to be made based on a range of factors, and to be made honestly and with rigorous impartiality.
That is in keeping with the text and the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.
On timing, the Taoiseach has stated that the Government is not planning for a referendum on unity and that we do not envisage one in the lifetime of this government.
In the event of a future referendum within the consent provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government will make all necessary preparations in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and the principles and procedures of the Agreement.
Our focus is on moving forward with the vital task of building a lasting reconciliation between all communities on this island.
This is backed by our Shared Island Initiative, to which we have committed €2 billion through to 2035.
The Initiative is enabling the largest-ever programme of all-island investment across all sectors, to build a more connected island, in terms of infrastructure, services, our economy and, crucially, between people.
