Offaly County Council members agree with push for Irish unity
A lot of 'meaningful and sensitive engagement' will be needed, says Cllr
OFFALY County Council unanimously agreed with a motion endorsing the Dáil's push for Irish unity, during its recent monthly meeting in Áras an Chontae.
Cllr Claire Murray (Sinn Féin) put forward the following Motion: “That Offaly County Council endorses the Dáil Notice of Motion 160/25 passed on October 20, 2025, seeking the Irish Government to plan and prepare for Irish unity, through the following actions:
Establish an all-island representative Citizens' Assembly or Assemblies, to allow for informed debate, and a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish Unity to enable careful planning;
Produce and publish a plan towards Irish unity in conjunction with civic society and key stakeholders;
Engage with northern protestant and unionist opinion about the future of Ireland; and
Work to secure a date for the referendums on unity provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.
Addressing the meeting, Cllr Murray pointed out that in Offaly there is a growing appetite for a united Ireland. “We all realise that the journey ahead towards a united country will not be without challenges but I firmly believe that by working hard together and with determination there's not much we can't overcome. It's with enormous pride that I am presenting this Motion to the Council this afternoon.” She proposed that if the Motion is agreed then they should write to the Taoiseach.
Cllr Seán O'Brien (Independent) commented that the Motion was a topical matter. He said he liked the tone of the Motion, “because it has an inclusive sentiment, embracing all communities on the island. It has to be all-inclusive or else it will come up against barriers and won't be able to progress. I think a Citizens' Assembly would be a good idea. We must also always keep the Good Friday Agreement in mind."
Cllr Seán Maher (Sinn Féin) said he also supported the Motion. “Across Ireland, over the last number of years,” he remarked, “there has been a growing demand for reunification. There is a growing number of meetings between north and south bodies. This country is going forward, but if we were 32 counties then we would go even further.”
Cllr Aoife Masterson (Sinn Féin) agreed. “For some people in Ireland the thought of pushing towards a united Ireland is quite a terrifying prospect, therefore a lot of meaningful and sensitive engagement and dialogue will be very important.”
Cllr Liam Quinn (Fine Gael) said he thought the majority of people in Ireland would like to see a 32 county entity. He cautioned, however, that the drive towards unity had to be sensitively handled. “If it's not done right then certain elements will try and turn it into a bloody fieldsport.” He pointed out that in Northern Ireland, 31.86% identify as British only; 29.13% identify as Irish only; and 19.78% identify as Northern Irish only. “Achieving Irish unity will be a very demanding job of work. It will require a Referendum. The many people who are wary of the Republic will have to be convinced that the new Ireland will be a warm place for them.”
Cllr Claire Murray said many communities are mixed in Northern Ireland and are well able to get along with their differences. She said problems such as cost of living or housing similarly affect them. “There's a significant rise in Northern Ireland in the number of those who would like to see a united Ireland.”