Delivering a United Ireland for All

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Éire Aontaithe a Chinntiú do Chách Delivering a United Ireland for All

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Éire Aontaithe a Chinntiú do Chách De bhunchinneadh daonlathach é Éire a aontú ag muintir na hÉireann i gcomhar a chéile. Baineann sé leis an toil atá againn don rialtas agus don rialú a bhíonn orainn. Cothaíonn Éire Aontaithe deiseanna dúinn náisiún úr a thógáil ina mbíonn aird ar gach gné de na tosaíochtaí atá againn mar shochaí agus a chead féin ag gach duine baint a bheith aige léi. Agus Éire Aontaithe ann, toghfar rialtas a bheidh lánfhreagarthach do phobal uile na hÉireann.

Cinnteoidh Éire Aontaithe go múnlóidh muid féin sochaí agus eacnamaíocht na tíre mar is fearr linn iad. Den bhuncheart é seo ag gach náisiún.

Cuirfidh Aontú na hÉireann an pobal féin i gceannas ar an ród a bheidh romhainn.

Is ar bhonn uile-oileánda a scothriarfar ar phobal na hÉireann, dar le Sinn Féin. Is mian le Sinn Féin an-aird a dhíriú ar an rathúnas, ar an chothromas agus ar an athmhuintearas i ngach cearn den tír. Againne, le bealach chun tosaigh ag an tír ar fad a aimsiú, is gá polasaithe, institiúidí agus forbairt an ghnó a thabhairt le chéile.Tá baint lárnach acu seo le postanna a chruthú agus le rathúnas sláintiúil a sholáthar do phobal uile na hÉireann.

Oibríonn Sinn Féin ar fud na hÉireann, ó thuaidh agus ó dheas, go dian dícheallach lena chinntiú go gcaitheann pobal na hÉireann a gcearta daonlathacha agus a vótaí araon ar reifreann ar Aontú na hÉireann. Is ar bhonn síochánta is mian le Sinn Féin Éire Aontaithe a bheith againn.

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Delivering a United Ireland for All Irish Unity is a fundamental democratic choice for the people of Ireland together. It is about the power to choose who we should be governed by and how we should be governed. Uniting Ireland allows us the opportunity to build a new Irish nation that reflects all aspects of our priorities as a society and includes all of our people.

Through Irish Unity we will elect a government, which is wholly accountable to all the people of Ireland.

Irish Unity will ensure we make decisions about what sort of society and economy we want to achieve.This is a fundamental right for the people of any nation.

Irish Unity will put the people of Ireland in charge of our own future.

Sinn Féin believe the future for the people of Ireland north and south is best served within a United Ireland.

Sinn Féin is focused on delivering prosperity, equality and reconciliation across the island.The way forward for all of Ireland is to harmonise policies, institutions, services and business development across the island.This is central to creating a fully integrated and healthy economy, which will deliver jobs and economic prosperity to all the people of Ireland.

Sinn Féin is working across Ireland north and south to ensure all the people of Ireland can use their democratic right to vote in a referendum on Irish Unity.

Sinn Féin is working to ensure that Ireland north and south successfully and peacefully achieves unity.

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Tá sé de cheart ag pobal uile na hÉireann an bealach chun tosaigh don náisiún a roghnú.

All the people of Ireland together have the right to decide the future of the Irish Nation The right to a referendum on Irish Unity is enshrined within the Good Friday Agreement, which was endorsed by the vast majority of the people of Ireland north and south.The Agreement provides the ground rules for peaceful and democratic constitutional change through concurrent referendums north and south. All the people of Ireland have the right to shape the future of the nation.

Securing a referendum on Irish Unity would be a momentous and historic opportunity for all the people of Ireland. It would allow all of us to vote for the kind of government and society we wish to see in Ireland.

Irish Unity is about securing the future in a new kind of Ireland, which is a better Ireland, an Ireland, which will deliver for all people.

The type of nation building and island-wide reconciliation that Sinn Féin is working towards is not about grafting the north onto the current political, cultural and economic status quo of the south.

Sinn Féin is working towards a new, agreed, democratic and united Ireland not just for republicans but for all of us who share this island. It is necessary for all the people of Ireland north and south to engage on the shape, form and nature of a United Ireland.

To achieve this then we need to address the questions in a genuine way of those who may currently be opposed to Irish Unity. Sinn Féin is open to listening, and to understanding different points of view.There is no doubt that Irish reunification is achievable. But it must be built upon democratic change.

Sinn Féin has called for a referendum on Irish Unity north and south to be conducted in the next political term.We are seeking an informed, reasoned and respectful dialogue on the issue of Irish reunification.

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Straitéis Shinn Féin leis an tír a aontú Sinn Féin’s strategy to unite Ireland Across Ireland the support for republican ideals is growing. Sinn Féin is the only all-Ireland political party with elected representatives in every forum across the island, the all-Ireland Ministerial Council, the Executive, An Dáil, Seanad Éireann, the Assembly, the European Parliament, and at local council level. Sinn Féin is the only party with the strategy and policies to achieve Irish unity and independence.

Sinn Féin in government north and south will seek to develop the following key steps to deliver a united, agreed and democratic Ireland for all.

1. Implement a strategy to promote and achieve the democratic objectives of national self-determination, reconciliation and unity and ensure all the people of Ireland have the right to vote in a referendum on Irish Unity; 2. Drive forward an open and inclusive National Conversation on Irish Unity.This would involve the people of Ireland north and south, including all of the social partners, which constitute civil society.

Consultation, information, dialogue and negotiation will be central to delivering a peaceful and sustainable United Ireland for all; 3. Ensure the British Government fulfils its commitments from the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements, including a referendum on Irish Unity; 4. Publish a Green Paper on Irish Unity.This paper will identify steps and measures for a successful transition to a united Ireland including planning for a new state and a new society that all the people of Ireland can share; 5. Establish an Oireachtas joint committee on Irish Reunification with the task of outlining, driving, monitoring and reviewing the transition towards Irish Unity; 6. Ensure that the North-South Ministerial Council establishes a committee specifically tasked with harmonisation and maximising co-operation in all fields for the benefit of all our people; 7. Appoint an Irish Government Minister of State with the dedicated and specific responsibility of developing strategies to advance Irish Unity and coordinate the government’s all-Ireland policies; 8. Co-ordinate economic planning on an all-Ireland basis; 9. Ensure that departments north and south fully engage in joint public service provision and publish a timescale and strategy for the full integration of public services north and south; 10. Ensure that Northern representation will be included in the Houses of the Oireachtas and northern citizens will have voting rights in presidential elections.

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Buntáistí le hAontú na hÉireann The benefits of Irish Unity Maintaining the status quo in the form of two competing, fractured economies in Ireland can only perpetuate and increase the obstacles to economic recovery throughout Ireland.The north cannot exist in isolation from the south and the south cannot reach its full potential without the north.

It does not make economic sense to have an island nation of 6.4 million people split into two separate tax, currency and legal systems and two separate economies with split populations of 4.6m and 1.8m people in competition with each other. An integrated economy for the island will provide greater economic strength.

Together Ireland, north and south, has enormous potential. Our combined natural resources, our top class universities and highly educated population, our global reputation, our combined strong growth sectors all give us strong prospects for growth and prosperity.

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As a nation we are stronger together;

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The combined economic output per person in all of Ireland is greater than Britain.This means the All-Ireland economy is stronger. Integrating the economy will drive sustainable and balanced economic growth and job creation;

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A United Ireland means stronger public services. Back-to-back provision doesn’t work. It wastes resources and drains the economy. All-Ireland provision delivers for all the people of Ireland.The joint cancer centre in Derry now provides services for patients from throughout the North West. Patients from Donegal or Derry do not have to travel to Belfast or Dublin for treatments;

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There are opportunities within a United Ireland to reconfigure how we deliver health services across Ireland.The total amount spent per person within the current health system in the south is more than is spent per person in the north of Ireland or in Britain.Yet the people of the north and Britain have access to better services, which are free at the point of delivery;

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A United Ireland means strengthened social and economic infrastructure and improved health and well-being of residents in cities, towns, villages and rural communities;

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A United Ireland would create a level playing field for trade not dependent on the whim of currency exchanges or taxation differences on one small island. It would also allow for a single ‘Brand Ireland’ to be promoted free from the confusion and the wasteful duplication brought on by having different state bodies promoting Irish produce and products;

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A United Ireland will deliver sustainable island-wide economic policy which will be aimed at delivering economic stability and job security across Ireland and will replace an economic policy which disproportionately benefits London and the South East of England;

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A United Ireland will deliver economic policy that can be tailored to facilitate the integrated development and growth of all of Ireland's universities and key growth industries like food and drink, agriculture, life sciences, tourism, Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Services and Technology Sectors;

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Decisions about Ireland will be taken by the people who care most about Ireland – those who live and work here.

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Cad é mar chuirfidh mé féin le hAontú na hÉireann?

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Bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht – cé acu is fearr don tír: aontú nó críochdheighilt ar fad?

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Bheith ag éileamh go gcuirtear i bhfeidhm, ina iomlán, Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus bheith sa tóir, de cheart, ar an reifreann uile-oileánda ar Aontú na hÉireann;

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Páipéar Uaine ar Aontú na hÉireann a éileamh;

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Clár ama chomhcheangal iomlán idir seirbhísí poiblí na hÉireann a éileamh;

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Comhcheangal iomlán idir seirbhísí i do cheantar féin a iarraidh;

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Caidreamh a bhunú leo siúd eile ar mian leo Éire a aontú;

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Deireadh le táillí bainc tras-teorainneacha a iarraidh;

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Tacú leis an éileamh ar Chonair Fhorbartha na Teorainne;

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Tacú le gealltanais uile-oileánda le deireadh a chur leis an déine.

What can I do to deliver Irish Unity?

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Participate in the debate – Is the best future for Ireland unity or continued partition?

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Demand the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement including the right to an island-wide referendum on Irish Unity;

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Demand a green paper on Irish Unity;

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Demand a timetable for the full integration of public services in Ireland;

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Call for the integration of services in your local area;

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Build relationships with others who support Irish Unity;

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Call for an end to cross-border banking charges;

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Support the call for a Border Economic Development Zone;

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Support island-wide commitments to end austerity.

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Cúrsaí inacmhainneachta, Aontú na hÉireann agus Airgeadas Poiblí an Tuaiscirt The affordability question, Irish Unity and Northern Public Finances The northern economy is currently under the control of the British Government.At present theTory party is seeking to impose austerity on the north.This is undemocratic and economically counterproductive.Yet the Executive has limited powers to invest and grow the economy.

The limitations of the existing system of funding, means that the Northern Executive does not currently have all the necessary financial levers to manage public finances to best effect. New powers are required to increase the financial ability of the Northern Executive and to ensure all the people of the north fully benefit from policy changes.

Much of the debate around the financial aspects of Irish Unity has focused on the question of whether Ireland can afford unity. The affordability of the public sector would be influenced by the current financial position and the policy choices of future United Irish governments.The recent report published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance titled “A Balance Sheet for NI’s Public Sector” showed that the north had greater assets than liabilities. CIPFA’s analysis shows that the north owns £51.8bn of assets and owes £51.3bn in liabilities.

Over-estimates of the northern fiscal deficit are used solely to block the debate on Irish Unity.The following figures dispel some of the myths about the north’s public finances. £23.8bn – the figure which some unionists and commentators claim is spent within the north of Ireland. This is not the amount spent by the Executive. £3.3bn of this spent by the British Government on Bank of England Debt, Defence etc. £1.1 bn of this is added due to the depreciation of British capital stock. £19.3bn - the amount of money which the Treasury claim is spent on public services relevant to the north. £1.6 bn of this is spent by Whitehall Departments on areas which British civil servants decide are relevant to the north including, for example, the Cabinet Office, the Home Office and the NIO. £1.3bn of this is Annual Managed Expenditure (AME) (ie the money spent on welfare payments in the north) administered by British Departments and should be devolved locally before it can be considered and scrutinised as local spend. £18.9 bn is allocated to the north via DEL – Departmental Expenditure Limit (ie the money which the Executive spends) and AME. £17.7 bn the British Treasury confusingly also claim that £17.7bn of public money is spent within the north.

In the absence of precise information from the Treasury, which we can independently verify, the variety of figures creates confusion which is perhaps intentional.

We can say with certainty that the £23.8bn figure is not accurate and that public spending is probably in the £17.7bn to £18.9bn range.

Revenue generated in the north There is no accurate statement of revenue available for the north. £14.1bn is the amount of revenue generated within the north in 2011-12 estimated by DFP. This is an underestimation as it does not include the amount of Income Tax, Corporation Tax, NICs, and VAT generated locally but paid in Britain by British and international companies. £15bn is the amount of revenue generated within the north estimated from measures of local economic output.

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Northern Public Finance Figures:The Key Facts

Figure

Fact or Fiction

£10bn Subvention

Fiction

It costs £23.8bn to run the north

Northern Expenditure is within the £17.7bn to £18.9bn range There is at least £14.1bn raised in revenue in the north

The fiscal deficit is approximately a third of the figures quoted by unionism

Fiction

Fact

Fact

Fact

Why?

This does not exist. The figu re is over-estimated and is based on old information, which the Depar tment of Finance and Perso nnel (DFP) is responsible for updating.

This figure comes from a rep ort commissioned by Sammy Wilson. It contains expenditure underta ken by the British state tha t is not spent in the north. Instead figures for the local budget and Tre asury figures. which show the actual amou nt of expenditure undertaken within the north. should be used.

These figures are Treasury figures and are more accura te than the figures produced by DFP.The use of multiple figures is co nfusing.This is deliberate. In response Sinn Féin has consistently called for accurate information for the north.

The information that is cur rently available shows that there is at least £14.1bn raised in revenue in the north. This figure is like ly to be higher as it does not fully take into account the amount of Corpo ration Tax and VAT generated by busin esses operating in the north which have headquarters in Britain.

Based on information availab le. It is not true that the no rth receives an additional £10bn in finance from Britain. If this additional spending is essential to the north, then why is not spent by the Execu tive and Assembly on vital public ser vices.

The British Treasury should immediately release all data relating to revenue raised in the north.

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Bearnaí cánach sa tuaisceart a dhruidim Closing the fiscal gap in the north There are a number of ways in which any deficit can be addressed through tax raising and borrowing.

Sinn Féin is proposing the following steps to close the fiscal gap in the north: 1. The retention of the financial benefits of Executive and Assembly policy changes in the local budget rather than the Westminster budget. For example the taxation receipts from local job creation initiatives should be retained in the north rather than go to the British Treasury.The retention of the financial benefits of local policy change was recommended by the Smith Commission for Scotland. Similar action needs to be taken in the north; 2. Full policy responsibility for all taxes for the Northern Executive and Assembly. In particular, the Northern Executive should have full autonomy for income tax, national insurance, corporation tax, capital gains tax, fuel duty, air passenger duty and inheritance tax; 3. Power to make decisions over welfare policy and administration; 4. The full transfer of the Crown Estate; 5. Devolution of key economic levers: such as employment policy (including the minimum wage) employability programmes; energy and broadcasting policy; 6. Control and access to all local receipts including those which are currently collected by Westminster; 7.

The introduction of a progressive assets levy of 1% on assets over one million to create an Investment in Jobs programme;

8. Progressive realisation of the Living Wage; 9. The removal of the upper limit of £400k on domestic rates; 10. Remove the rates rebate on second homes.

Ultimately the full potential of the northern economy will be unleashed within an integrated All-Ireland economy.

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Is meithid dúinn eacnamaíochtaí na hÉireann a tharraingt le chéile ina n-iomlán It’s time to fully integrate the economies of Ireland Different economic structures north and south have undermined economic growth and labour market mobility. For example, companies are on record stating that the differences in currency have a sizeable impact on profit margins to the extent they have been discouraged from having operations on both parts of the island. Cross-border movement in Ireland north and south has been impeded by different levels of vehicle registration tax; differences in direct and indirect tax rates; eligibility for tax credits; differences in tax years; housing costs.

These issues act as a barrier and are apparent from the perspective of employers as well as employees.

Despite the interconnection and interdependence of the economies north and south, there has been a limited focus placed on promoting island-wide growth and recovery. Island-wide trade currently generates £3bn for the island. Removing barriers to island-wide trade makes sense.

Greater integration across the island to reflect the unique nature of the economy would provide the opportunity for fair progressive taxation, regulation and trade. It would provide the tools to create greater opportunities for growth, employment and create a better business climate for advancement of entrepreneurial spirit north and south.

Competition and duplication of services weakens provision and increases costs. Everyone benefits from the integration of public services.The Northern Executive and Irish Government must produce a timescale and strategy for the full integration of public services on an island-wide basis.

Sinn Féin in government north and south will take the following steps to build an integrated economy for Ireland: 1. Deliver a fully integrated sustainable and prosperous economy for all the people of Ireland; 2. Produce a full and detailed examination of the best use of resources and the most appropriate models of accountability for the delivery of integrated public services across the island and produce a timescale and strategy for the integration of public services across Ireland; 3. As an interim step towards the full integration of public services. Sinn Féin will ensure that departments in both jurisdictions work together to develop the joint delivery of public services; 4. Establish a single economic department and agency for Ireland north and south and Implement an All-Ireland investment and jobs strategy; 5. Develop a Border Economic Development Zone to stabilise economic and business growth in the north-south border region to increase employment and sustainable economic growth for the benefit of all the people of Ireland; 6 . Publish Integrated Economic Data Strategy for Ireland to support the integration of public services; 7 . Upgrade infrastructure across the island; 8 . Build SMEs to ensure they deliver their full potential; 9. Develop agriculture, food and fish processing on an island-wide basis; 10. Develop and implement an integrated strategy for tourism and recreation for all of Ireland.

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