Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has spoken for the first time about Brexit and its possible implications for the island of Ireland. He mentioned the possibility of a referendum that could open new prospects for the reunification of the island. This unprecedented proposal could mark a new chapter in the history of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Hope for the Reunification of the Two Irelands?
This is the very first time that Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has raised the possibility of reunification. It’s a bold proposal, but one that will face challenges and conflicts of interest with the United Kingdom, which has so far been strongly attached to Northern Ireland.
Enda Kenny brought up this project during the summer university held in County Donegal. He emphasized that “the discussions and negotiations that will take place in the coming period” between the UK and the European Union “must take into account, as much as necessary, the fact that the clause of the Good Friday Agreement may be triggered.”
With this statement, Enda Kenny refers to the Good Friday Agreement text, signed in 1998, which states that the British and Irish governments have “recognized the legitimacy of the freely expressed wishes of the majority of the people of Northern Ireland regarding its status, whether they prefer to continue supporting the union with Great Britain or choose a united sovereign Ireland” (Article 1.1).
Furthermore, the text indicates that the two powers, by “mutual agreement,” may ask the people of the island of Ireland “to exercise their rights to self-determination (…) both north and south concerning a united Ireland, if they so wish” (Article 1.2).
A clear text that could therefore initiate the beginning of reunification of the two Irelands and allow Northern Ireland to remain within the EU (a strong majority voted against Brexit in June 2016).
A Proposal Likely to Rekindle Tensions
Although Enda Kenny is currently opening the door to the idea of a referendum, there is no indication that it will be clearly implemented. The Irish government’s proposal also has its share of opponents, starting with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, a member of the pro-Brexit DUP party, who opposes any possible reunification of the island.
Moreover, peace remains fragile in Northern Ireland since 1998, and inter-community tensions are still very much alive despite the ongoing Peace Process. Northern Ireland remains divided between loyalists (attached to their British identity) and republicans (who want reunification of the island).
Discussions are therefore likely to be intense, risking to revive the ghosts of the past in Northern Ireland. The various parties involved in negotiating a possible agreement (the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Brussels) will need to be extremely cautious to avoid turning Northern Ireland into a province under tension…
