Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Put United Ireland question on census’
THE next census should have a question about whether or not people support a united Ireland, a former Stormont Assembly speaker has said.
Mitchel Mclaughlin was delivering his inaugural lecture as an honorary professor in Peace Studies at Queen’s University.
The former Sinn Fein chair said: “Perhaps the most constructive contribution that a restored Executive could make would be to arrange for an appropriate question to be formulated for inclusion in the 2021 Census that would permit citizens to declare their support for either of the two constitutional options described in the Good Friday Agreement.”
Sinn Fein has previously called for a referendum on Irish unification but the DUP suggested it would be a recipe for chaos.
The British Government has declined to organise one and said the conditions were not met for a border poll.
Mr Mclaughlin added: “The
inclusion of such a question would have no constitutional effect.
“However the objectivity of the process and collation of responses would be essential to a decision on a referendum on Irish unity and in itself an encouragement for developing rational and thoughtful debate. Brexit presents enormous economic problems that compel us to put all the available options on the table. “We may have a unique opportunity to create a future beyond division and sectarianism and build a dispensation that serves the interests of all the people who share this island.
“I am pleased a discussion has emerged.”