24/11/2022
PM Urged To Set Out Criteria For Unity Referendum
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been urged to set out the criteria for a referendum on Irish unity in the interests of 'democratic transparency'.
Making the call, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said that the Principle of Consent negotiated in the Good Friday Agreement gives Northern Ireland a clear and legal pathway to a new constitutional future outside of the union with Great Britain but the power to call a referendum remains with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Mr Eastwood was speaking in the House of Commons following a Supreme Court ruling on the question of powers to hold a Scottish Independence referendum.
Mr Eastwood said: "The Supreme Court ruling today confirms that the United Kingdom has never been a partnership of equals – it is a hierarchy based on the will of England dominating the legitimate aspirations of all others. And while Northern Ireland has a clear and legal pathway to a different constitutional future through the principle of consent, that path remains bound to the discretion of a Secretary of State calling a referendum on Irish Unity.
"The former MP for Cork City Charles Stewart Parnell was right when he said that no man has the right to fix a boundary to the march of a nation. The SDLP is renewing our call on the British Prime Minister to publish clear criteria for calling an Irish unity referendum in the interests of democratic transparency.
"The choice about the North's future should be based on a contest of ideas, rooted in the interests of our people and all our communities."
Making the call, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said that the Principle of Consent negotiated in the Good Friday Agreement gives Northern Ireland a clear and legal pathway to a new constitutional future outside of the union with Great Britain but the power to call a referendum remains with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Mr Eastwood was speaking in the House of Commons following a Supreme Court ruling on the question of powers to hold a Scottish Independence referendum.
Mr Eastwood said: "The Supreme Court ruling today confirms that the United Kingdom has never been a partnership of equals – it is a hierarchy based on the will of England dominating the legitimate aspirations of all others. And while Northern Ireland has a clear and legal pathway to a different constitutional future through the principle of consent, that path remains bound to the discretion of a Secretary of State calling a referendum on Irish Unity.
"The former MP for Cork City Charles Stewart Parnell was right when he said that no man has the right to fix a boundary to the march of a nation. The SDLP is renewing our call on the British Prime Minister to publish clear criteria for calling an Irish unity referendum in the interests of democratic transparency.
"The choice about the North's future should be based on a contest of ideas, rooted in the interests of our people and all our communities."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 January 2024
NIFRS To Host Events For New On-Call Firefighters
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has announced that it will host a series of Familiarisation Sessions for those who are interested in becoming On-Call Firefighters in Irvinestown, Portstewart and Newtownhamilton.
NIFRS To Host Events For New On-Call Firefighters
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has announced that it will host a series of Familiarisation Sessions for those who are interested in becoming On-Call Firefighters in Irvinestown, Portstewart and Newtownhamilton.
12 February 2024
New Pilot Scheme Announced To Test Filming NI Appeal Court Judgements
A new pilot scheme to film the deliver of judgments in the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, has been announced by the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan. It is understood that during the pilot scheme, none of the judgements will be broadcast, but the filming used to test the process and inform future decisions.
New Pilot Scheme Announced To Test Filming NI Appeal Court Judgements
A new pilot scheme to film the deliver of judgments in the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, has been announced by the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan. It is understood that during the pilot scheme, none of the judgements will be broadcast, but the filming used to test the process and inform future decisions.
08 March 2024
Man Wanted In Ireland On Drug Offences Arrested In South Belfast
A 59-year-old man wanted in the Republic of Ireland has been arrested in south Belfast by the PSNI's International Policing Unit. Wanted to stand trial for drugs offences that occurred in the Kilkenny area in 2012.
Man Wanted In Ireland On Drug Offences Arrested In South Belfast
A 59-year-old man wanted in the Republic of Ireland has been arrested in south Belfast by the PSNI's International Policing Unit. Wanted to stand trial for drugs offences that occurred in the Kilkenny area in 2012.
18 April 2019
SF: A United Ireland Is Now A Realistic Prospect
Sinn Fein's Deputy Leader Michelle O'Neill has said the prospect of Irish unity is now a very real one. The Stormont party leader indicated that Brexit was among other "political and societal changes" that are driving many towards the "logic" of Irish unity.
SF: A United Ireland Is Now A Realistic Prospect
Sinn Fein's Deputy Leader Michelle O'Neill has said the prospect of Irish unity is now a very real one. The Stormont party leader indicated that Brexit was among other "political and societal changes" that are driving many towards the "logic" of Irish unity.
30 October 2023
The People Of Ireland Will Decide Its Future – SF
The people of Ireland will decide the future of the island in a referendum, as set out in the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said. Mr Finucane was speaking after Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, warned the UK government to not change the terms of a referendum on Irish unity.
The People Of Ireland Will Decide Its Future – SF
The people of Ireland will decide the future of the island in a referendum, as set out in the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said. Mr Finucane was speaking after Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, warned the UK government to not change the terms of a referendum on Irish unity.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.