The cross-party committee called for preparations for a united Ireland to begin “immediately” and said all government departments should consider the impact of constitutional change.
In a report prepared by the committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, politicians called on the government to prepare and publish a green paper setting out their vision for a united Ireland.
The report, the first published by the commission, examines the current economic relationship on both sides of the border and the economic potential of the island as a whole.
The report shows that cross-border trade will increase significantly from around €2 billion in 1998 to around €20 billion in 2022.
The report also examines the costs of a possible united Ireland and argues for the need to begin planning for a united Ireland.
The group, which has met 11 times since April last year, recommended the establishment and dedication of resources to an Irish Parliamentary committee dedicated to preparing for a united Ireland.
It also recommended that preparations for a united Ireland should begin “immediately”.
The group’s chairman, Fine Gael MP Fergus O’Dowd, called on his fellow MPs to have a “serious debate” on the issue of possible constitutional reform.
He also said he hoped the change in British government would mark a “reset” in relations with the UK.
“When we started all this, the UK had a government and now that has changed,” O’Dowd said.
“When that change happens, I think it will reset the UK-Irish relationship. I hope that it will have an impact and be important to us for the future.”
“Relationships have a huge impact on the issues that we’re debating, the progress that we might be able to make as a result of political change, and whether the administration here, and our parliament, is willing to engage properly and appropriately with our parliamentary colleagues, particularly in England and in the north.”
“[The report]is very hopeful for the future and it’s an opportunity for change – but change by agreement. A united Ireland? Of course. But a united Ireland by agreement? Of course.”
“We can remove the barriers to greater participation,” said Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil MP for Cavan and Monaghan.
“So I believe we can move forward step by step and quite quickly at the same time towards achieving the united Ireland that people want to see.”
“There are no insurmountable barriers to unity” – Conway Walsh
Sinn Féin councillor Rose Conway-Walsh said the responsibility lay with the Government to implement the recommendations contained in the report.
She said: “The future economic success of a united Ireland is in our own hands and there are no insurmountable obstacles to a united Ireland.”
“There will be variability in terms of the time it takes, the duration and the transition period, but none of this is insurmountable.
“This report showcases the positive and inclusive dialogue taking place across the island in planning constitutional reform.
“I think the responsibility lies with the Irish government to implement the recommendations of the report, which includes the Green Paper on Irish unity and what needs to be done.”
She also said that learning must be done from the mistakes of Brexit and that the Government had a “responsibility” to provide the framework.
Middle Ireland is not ready for unity – Fagan
Fine Gael’s Frank Fagan said people in mid-Ireland were not ready for a united Ireland.
He added: “The people we need to be talking to are the people of central Ireland. I don’t think central Ireland is ready for a united Ireland.”
He said there needed to be further discussions with people in certain areas about what a united Ireland would look like.
Independent Senator Francis Black said there was a compelling case for planning constitutional reform.
Senator Emer Currie said there were “significant differences” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in terms of wages, life expectancy, disposable income and risk of poverty.
“It is clear from the report how stark the differences are between the north and the south,” she added.
“We’ve talked about different productivity levels, different wages, different life expectancies, average disposable income, poverty.
“What’s clear to me is that, yes, there are issues from the past that are contributing to this problem, but some of these issues are politically constructed. And it’s really important to shine a light on that and encourage change in these areas, including education.”
