"The Government must establish an All-Island Citizens Assembly on Constitutional Change". This is according to Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North-West, Chris MacManus, who has called on the Irish Government to establish all-island Citizens Assembly to look at constitutional change on the island of Ireland.
Mr MacManus was speaking at the planting of a 'Crann na Saoirse' at the Jim Gralton Monument in Effrinagh, south Leitrim, alongside Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and members of the Gralton family.
He said Ireland's "Constitutional failure" was being discussed by people from all walks of life and that decision makers from across EU were also paying "close attention to the debate on Irish Unity". The local MEP added it was imperative for the EU to also play a role in discussions around re-unification.
"In Brussels, like in many parts of Ireland, the conversation is moving more and more to when Ireland is reunited rather than if'. That is why I am calling on the Irish Government to establish an all-island Citizens Assembly that would include our diaspora to look at constitutional change on the island of Ireland.
"As an MEP I have repeatedly expressed in Brussels, that the EU Institutions must also engage with civic society from across the island of Ireland so we know exactly what supports would be available to ensure a smooth transition from partition to Irish unity," Mr McManus said.
