Northern Ireland

Ireland's Future to launch new paper aimed at enhancing discussions around united Ireland

Advancing the Conversation - The Way Forward comes two years after Ireland's Future's landmark gathering at Belfast's Waterfront Hall
Advancing the Conversation - The Way Forward comes two years after Ireland's Future's landmark gathering at Belfast's Waterfront Hall Advancing the Conversation - The Way Forward comes two years after Ireland's Future's landmark gathering at Belfast's Waterfront Hall

A new document aimed at enhancing discussions around a united Ireland will be launched today by civic nationalism group Ireland's Future.

The launch of Advancing the Conversation - The Way Forward comes as the group marks two years since a landmark gathering at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

Ireland's Future hopes its second discussion paper, which is part of a series, "will encourage continuing dialogue".

"There is a chance to work together on this island to prepare the way for transformative change. It would be irresponsible not to do the required homework first," a spokesperson said.

"We have a duty to do the planning and preparing now. Ireland’s Future is playing our part."

The group is urging political parties across Ireland, and particularly the government in Dublin, to plan for constitutional change.

"Change can be managed and organised or it can be chaotic," the spokesperson said.

"We believe the people of our island will be best served if the government is immersed in the process of planning, preparation and nation building."

The paper will be released at noon today and its formal launch will take place tonight during an online event that can be watched at www.irelandsfuture.com.

Key figures in Ireland’s Future, including novelist Martina Devlin, lawyer Niall Murphy and Queen's University's Professor Colin Harvey, will discuss the content of the document alongside a range of constitutional issues, including the recent Sunday Times-commissioned opinion poll and comments made by former British chancellor George Osborne.