The Irish American Unity Conference has welcomed the Fine Gael announcement of a blueprint for Irish unity.
The IAUC stated its support for the move in a letter from its Washington, D.C.-based National President Peter Kissel to Tanaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris.
The letter states: "Your reply of September 26, 2024, to my July 10, 2024, letter on behalf of the Irish American Unity Conference described the efforts of your Government at that time to advance cooperation and understanding between the North and the Republic, including the Shared Island initiative, but did not reference unification.
"The IAUC therefore welcomes your recent announcement that Fine Gael will produce a Blueprint for a unified Ireland at the party’s Ard Fheis in November. This action honors Fine Gael’s founding principle and marks a significant move toward fulfilling the destiny of Ireland.
"It is urgent that the Irish Government undertake detailed planning and robust discussion among Ireland’s citizens in order to prepare for the referendum on Irish unity contemplated by Annex A, Schedule 1 of the Good Friday Agreement. Careful planning is essential to avoid the fiasco the UK experienced with the snap Brexit referendum.
"As you will be aware, Sinn Fein have tabled a motion to require the Government to convene citizens assemblies and publish a Green Paper identifying issues to be addressed. The motion will be debated in the Dail on July 7.
The Sinn Fein motion reflects the spirit of your preceding announcement of Fine Gael’s forthcoming Blueprint. We ask that you support this motion when it comes before the Dail and work cooperatively with Sinn Fein and other parties to produce a detailed program for preparing for a border poll, including specified timelines for the necessary steps.
"Again, the IAUC applauds your foresight in calling for a Blueprint for Irish unity. If we may be of any assistance in advancing your program here in America, please let me know."
*Editor's note. The term "to table" has opposite meanings in U.S. and Irish and British politics. In Ireland it means to offer or present while in the U.S. it means to shelve or dismiss a proposal or initiative.
