Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, in collaboration with the Commission on the Future of Ireland, will host a conference on Irish Unity at the European Parliament on Tuesday, 08 April.

The conference, titled "The EU and Irish Unity: What Next?", will feature speakers from academia, trade unions, and politics, discussing the potential for a reunited Ireland within the European Union. Speaking from Brussels, MEP Kathleen Funchion stated: "The European Union made clear several years ago that in the event of reunification the island of Ireland would automatically be part of the EU. The conversation on Irish Unity has significantly increased in recent years and successive opinion polls show substantial growth in support of unity. Last year the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Good Friday Agreement urged the Irish government to plan for Unity. Planning is essential and this conference is part of Sinn Féin"s efforts to encourage dialogue and persuade the Irish government to make preparations for unity."

Funchion added: "I am delighted that we will have a number of high level speakers who will discuss the damaging impact partition has had on our island, as well as the positive potential emerging from the all-island economy. The conference will be an opportunity to hear the European perspective on the question of our constitutional future."

Lynn Boylan MEP emphasised the EU's role in any future referendum: "Conferences such as these are important, as the EU will have a role to play in any future referendum. As the conversation on Irish Unity progresses, we need the EU institutions to both take note, and engage. The EU institutions will play a vital role in any future referendum on Unity, as it will be incumbent upon them to make clear what political and financial supports they can provide to assist us in the event of a successful referendum on Irish Unity."