EU Council Presidency should focus on Irish unity

The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU should be used to begin practically planning for Irish unity, writes Senator Conor Murphy.

Ireland assumes the EU Council Presidency at a crucial time for European politics. The Irish Government has the opportunity to show leadership, advance Ireland’s national interests, and shape the future direction of the European Union. Sinn Féin believes there are three clear priorities. First, preparing for Irish unity.

In the aftermath of Brexit, the European Union confirmed that, in the event of a successful unity referendum, the whole island of Ireland would re-enter the EU. Recent polling has indicated that a majority of citizens support a reunified Ireland within the European Union.

Therefore, the Irish Government should use this Presidency to initiate structured engagement with European partners on the practical preparations required for constitutional change.

Responsible governments prepare for foreseeable change. The time to begin that work is now.

As the only all-Ireland party represented in the European Parliament, the Oireachtas, the Assembly, and councils across this island, Sinn Féin will work with partners across Europe to ensure that preparations for Irish unity move from aspirational to practical planning.

Second, standing up for workers, families, farmers, and communities.

Across Ireland, people continue to struggle with soaring costs of fuel and everyday commodities.

Ireland should use its Presidency to champion policies that protect jobs, support family farms, strengthen public services, deliver affordable energy and housing, and ensure that economic progress works for ordinary working people.

The Government must focus on getting the best possible deal on CAP for farmers and for rural communities.
Part of that deal must be having a generational renewal scheme to give young farmers confidence that there is a future in farming and that they can remain in rural Ireland.

“The EU has a responsibility to continue serving citizens residing in the North of Ireland who were removed from the EU despite voting to remain.”

We need to reverse the decline in population in rural communities, this requires investment from the Government, a change in policy towards rural Ireland, and greater all-island integration in agriculture.

Third, standing up for peace, international law, and Ireland’s military neutrality.

Ireland has earned respect across the world as an independent voice for peace, diplomacy, and UN peacekeeping. At a time when conflict is increasing and some seek to redefine the European Union through the prism of militarisation, Ireland’s Presidency should instead champion dialogue, conflict resolution, humanitarian action, and respect for international law.

The Government has been moving steadily away from Ireland’s long-standing policy of military neutrality, most recently through its attempts to dismantle the ‘triple lock’.

Sinn Féin rejects that approach. Our neutrality is a strength, not a weakness. Ireland should use its Presidency to ensure that the distinctive and valuable contribution of militarily neutral member states is recognised and respected within the European Union.

Sinn Féin will work constructively with all parties to help ensure that Ireland’s EU Presidency is successful.

To this end, Sinn Féin submitted a proposal that Ireland would host an interparliamentary conference during the Presidency focusing on the theme of ‘Pursuance of Peace in Global Volatility’.

I am delighted that the Government accepted this proposal, the conference has been set for 29-30 November 2026, and it will be chaired by the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

This conference should focus on how Ireland achieved an international, legally binding peace agreement after 30 years of conflict and the lessons that can be applied for conflict resolution in other scenarios around the world in this time of increased global volatility.

It should also examine how the peace process can be practically supported through the continuance of peace funding. The support of the EU was instrumental through the peace negotiations and since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

This support must be sustained and consolidated. PEACEPLUS funding must be made available to grassroots community organisations. These are the groups who know best what local citizens need, particularly in areas of disadvantage.

The EU has a responsibility to continue serving citizens residing in the North of Ireland who were removed from the EU despite voting to remain. The interparliamentary conference provides a good opportunity to discuss how this could be achieved.

We are living in an unprecedented time for our nation and, over recent years, constitutional change, once a possibility, is now a probability.

I want to work to make it a reality, to ensure that the unity referendums are held within this decade and that following reunification a stronger, fairer country is delivered for everyone, regardless of their background or political persuasion.

Ireland’s Presidency should be defined by ambition, fairness and leadership. It should prepare responsibly for Ireland’s constitutional future, stand with workers and families facing real economic pressures, and uphold the values of peace, democracy, and international law.

These are the priorities that Sinn Féin will champion throughout Ireland’s Presidency.

Conor Murphy is a Sinn Féin Senator Seanad. He previously served as an MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly where he held various ministerial roles. He was also a Westminster MP from 2005 until 2015, representing Newry and Armagh.