Malcolm stands over comments on united Ireland

ALTHOUGH it has still been less than a month since Gorey’s Malcolm Byrne was elected to Dáil Éireann, the former councillor has certainly found his voice in the new chamber and elsewhere.

In the same week that he was named as ‘Political newcomer of the year’ by RTÉ Radio One’s Late Debate, Malcolm contributed to the ongoing debate of a united Ireland.

He said that as a country and particularly in the context of the recent results from the UK general election, we need to start a discussion and consider the context of what he termed an ‘agreed Ireland’ could become in the not too distant future.

In an article published by the Irish Independent, Deputy Byrne is quoted supporting suggestions around calling for preparations for an Irish unity referendum, originally made by party colleague and Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly.

Malcolm said that those from a republican or nationalist background must think about how to engage with those from a unionist tradition, and see if agreement can be reached on certain issues both politically and socially.

‘I would like to see a united Ireland and the debate around this getting started properly. In the immediate sense, it’s most important to get Stormont back up and running, but if we’ve learned anything from the Brexit mess is that we need to be prepared for the outcome of a referendum’.

Although some comments made, such as maybe needing a new national anthem, making July 12 a island-wide public holiday or considering membership of the commonwealth, were met with backlash both coming from political opponents, activists and the electorate, Deputy Byrne said that he stands over what he believes.

‘Wexford has a rich 1798 tradition, and those who describe ourselves as republican or nationalist, need to think about what shape an agreed Ireland might take. This is not going to be about the south taking over the north, but a new state coming in to being’.

Malcolm suggested that the creation of an agreed Ireland may look like a version of post apartheid South Africa.

‘Although we don’t have a leader like Nelson Mandela, we will need to look at our existing institutions and symbols as part of the new state, to be provided for in the constitution.

‘We could have over a million unionists be part of this new state, and we must include their traditions and make them feel welcome.

‘We all need to come together to insure that the voices of both nationalists and unionists in the north, as well as those in the south are heard’.

Commenting on the response he has received since the comments were made publicly, Malcolm said that he has a better understanding of North and South relations than most.

‘I’ve been going up and down to the North of Ireland for over 25 years, I’ve canvassed there and I’ve friends from all different communities. By listening to those people, it’s useful to engage and hear those different voices.

‘Calls for a border poll now are nonsense, but I’ve always believed that you have to listen and engage with all political parties on these bigger issues because even if you don’t agree with all of their views, because we can reach agreement on certain issues.

‘Politics is incredibly unpredictable and I don’t have a monopoly on wisdom but I’ve spent a lot of time up north. There are others who don’t understand the north as much as I do and I know it’s not going to be something that’ll be simple.

‘People need to talk, which was the success story of the Good Friday Agreement as it brought people together from all different backgrounds to find compromise.

‘If we are all going to be sharing this island, we need to consider how are we going to agree to do that. It’s not going to happen over night and we’ve got to know what we’re looking for and there has to be a plan.

‘I say why not start the discussion, but it’s up to others to suggest where they would see an agreed Ireland going, rather than throwing around slogans’.