NIGEL Dodds has said his party will consider proposals for a Citizens' Assembly examining Irish unity but stressed that dialogue must be conducted "first and foremost" through political representatives.
The DUP deputy leader was asked yesterday by The Irish News whether his party would contribute to any future forum established in the Republic to look at the case for reunification.
The Citizens' Assembly in the south has previously examined legalising same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion ahead of respective referendums which led to significant changes in legislation.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this week said he will not rule out establishing a Citizens' Assembly to look at Irish unity but questioned whether unionists would take part in such an exercise.
Earlier this month, civic nationalist group Ireland’s Future urged the taoiseach to establish the forum, while Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald made a similar call at her party's recent ard fheis.
"In terms of any Citizens Assembly and all the rest of it, we will look at any proposals obviously but we believe the way forward for any decision making and political dialogue is through the elected representatives first and foremost with of course proper dialogue, consultation and discussion with everyone who has a stake in society – that's the way forward for us," Mr Dodds said.
