Labour Leader Calls for Timeline on Irish Unity Referendum

The leader of the Irish Labour Party, Ivana Bacik, has urged the Irish government to establish a timeline for a border poll by the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2028. During her party’s national conference held on Saturday, Bacik emphasized that the call for a 32-county republic does not represent a shift in policy nor is it aimed at attracting Sinn Fein supporters.

Bacik’s comments came in the wake of Catherine Connolly being elected as Ireland’s 10th president, a move she described as a significant opportunity for left-wing parties to unite. In an interview on RTE Radio, Bacik asserted that the Labour Party’s commitment to Irish unity is a core principle. “Labour is a republican party. We want to build that new republic that Catherine Connolly spoke so powerfully about,” she stated.

The Labour leader advocated for the establishment of a dedicated government department to focus on preparations for Irish unity, rather than relegating the task to a unit within the Taoiseach’s office. While acknowledging her support for the Taoiseach’s Shared Island initiative, she noted that the initiative is now five years old and requires renewed action.

Bacik’s call for a clear timeline is crucial as the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement approaches. She believes there should be “some positive progress towards the holding of a referendum” by then. During her address at the conference, she insisted on the necessity for the Irish and British governments to set a definitive timeline for the border poll.

“Friends, we don’t want a fourth green field for its own sake. We know better than to run a referendum in haste – without sufficient preparation or groundwork,” Bacik remarked. She stressed the importance of having a clear timeframe to facilitate the preparation of both a Green and White paper, the establishment of citizens’ assemblies, and the promotion of respectful, considered debate on the topic.

The Labour Party’s focus on a timeline for a border poll highlights the ongoing discussions surrounding Irish unity and its implications for both Ireland and the United Kingdom. As political dynamics evolve, Bacik’s leadership and the Labour Party’s stance may play a significant role in shaping the future of this contentious issue.