THAT the newly-proposed coalition government is to create a department working towards island unification is an interesting, but not entirely unexpected, development.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's 24-page framework document includes a commitment to set up a unit in the taoiseach's department "to work towards a consensus on a united island".
This is work that already started under the last administration when a Northern Ireland engagement group was set up by Leo Varadkar to make tentative steps into this controversial space.
The group met with interested figures from civic society last year and engaged in private discussions, the outcome of which were reported back to the taoiseach's office.
This included unionists from Northern Ireland, but the fact these discussions took place behind closed doors is an indication of how sensitive a subject it continues to be for some.
It could be argued that this latest move was in response to the Ireland's Future group that has already started work to slowly flesh out what a 'New Ireland' might look like.
Brexit and the implications of EU withdrawal took the issue of reunification from future to present political discourse.
The electoral gains of Sinn Féin in the south have also clearly had an impact on how the civil war parties do business.
Given their differences, a Fine Gael/Fianna Fail government would do well to last five years.
The two parties have formed a coalition based on the premise of 'my enemy's enemy is my friend'.
Excluding Sinn Féin, while also not haemorrhaging any more votes to the left, means looking at issues the next generation of voters are enthused by.
The two main unionist parties have to date been reluctant to give too much credence to the unification debate.
This new department will be keen to engage with political unionism in a more structured setting.
Given both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have joined forces at Sinn Féin's expense, maybe unionism might also find a friend in their enemy's enemy.
