Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026: Second Stage [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-07
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I add my thanks to those of the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, and recognise all Members who have spoken in this debate. No one who sits in this House can be indifferent to the question of our constitutional future or the aspiration in Bunreacht na hÉireann to unite all the people who share this island, recognising the diversity of identities and traditions. The Government is committed to the unity of the Irish people. We believe the way to achieve this is through a sustained focus on reconciliation, mutual respect, partnership and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in full.
Self-determination was exercised by the people North and South when they approved the Good Friday Agreement by referendum. That is the Government’s framework for all our policies. Six days ago, we took up our Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time. The EU was vital in creating the conditions for the Good Friday Agreement. It has also been a vocal and steadfast supporter of reconciliation and prosperity on this island through the PEACE and PEACEPLUS programmes, with a total investment of €3.4 billion since 1995. That work continues to the present day. We are working closely with colleagues in Brussels, Belfast and London to develop a successor programme through to 2035 to underpin peace, progress and prosperity.
Through the shared island initiative, we are making the largest investment ever in North-South co-operation. I did not hear that mentioned much tonight. There is a commitment of €2 billion to strengthen connections across this island. That investment is improving transport links, supporting research and innovation and investing in education, enterprise, tourism and healthcare, including mental health. On three occasions, I have attended the North-South Ministerial Council and got to know a lot of my colleagues in Northern Ireland.
The Government has committed €600 million towards the upgrade of the A5 western transport corridor in Northern Ireland and €102 million for the Narrow Water Bridge project, while €58 million has been pledged by the Irish Government for Casement Park. Respite care for children at Daisy Lodge in Cong, County Mayo, has been facilitated. There has also been €30 million in funding for ports to support connectivity. We are committed to new and innovative approaches to deepening island-wide civic engagement on crucial dimensions of our heritage, society and future. At the shared island forum last week, the Taoiseach set out how the Shared Home Place programme is contributing to this.
As a Government, we are intensely aware of the need to address the legacy of the past. As the Taoiseach said last week, the continuing challenges of that legacy must be acknowledged. They impact individuals, families and communities across generations each and every day. Ireland and the UK have agreed a joint framework on legacy. The aim of this package is to secure truth, accountability and, to the best extent possible, justice. We are moving forward at pace with its implementation. We are drafting the legislation to implement our commitments under the joint framework. We will introduce it into the Oireachtas as soon as the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is enacted in the UK. We have also met our commitment to facilitate and support the Omagh bombing inquiry.
I am a proud republican and member of Fianna Fáil.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-07