German reunification is a ‘useful example’ of how planned Irish reunification could work, says Sinn Féin

SINN FÉIN HAS published a document on why the party believes there are economic benefits for a united Ireland.

The report questions Northern Ireland’s £ 10bn grant figure, its UK grant, and claims it is roughly half the official figure.

The report also cites the experience of German reunification as a “useful example of how planned economic integration and investment, including from the EU, can substantially improve economic conditions in the smaller jurisdiction involved in the transition.”

The EU played a key role in supporting German reunification, the report states, adding that “the EU’s role should be even more central in the case of Irish reunification.”

“Direct support from the EU could come in the form of a tailored funding mechanism designed to stabilize the reunification process, however gradual this process may be,” the report states.

In relation to the grant, which is the difference between the revenue collected and the money spent in the North, the report states that the pension bill is £ 3.5 billion, so “the final cost of the grant could be as low as £ 2.5 billion “.

A similar point is made in a report on a united Ireland by Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly, now Seanad’s Cathaoirleach, who found that the UK would continue to pay Northern Ireland pensions initially as the pension liability accrued while that Northern Ireland was part of the United Kingdom.

There has been much debate about the real figure between economists and politicians.

The report states that Irish unity “will create new opportunities and new prosperity for all people on the island of Ireland.” The party asked the Irish government to make preparations and examine the economic arguments, as well as the cultural and social dimensions.

This is not the first time the party has claimed that reunification would not cost as much as people might think. A similar document in 2016 stated that the issue of affordability has been subject to “wild speculation.”

While the party conceded that there are legitimate concerns about the cost and benefits of the unit, it criticized the British government for refusing to “fully open the books” as to what the North costs the British treasury.

Today’s 25-page report seeks to “inform the discussion” of a united Ireland, a conversation the party says has already begun.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that an Irish unity referendum must be held in the next five years.

However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that he does not see a border survey in the life of this government.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that he would like to see a united Ireland in his life, but added: “I would, but only in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, so that is only with the consent of the majority of the people in North Ireland”.

Sinn Féin has raised concerns in the Dáil regarding the government’s new Shared Island Unit, the civil service division tasked with revitalizing cross-border relations, claiming it has a deliberately harmless name.

Last month, the Taoiseach set the agenda and work program for the new shared island unit, which received 500 million euros in the budget.

The money will be reserved for use in cross-border projects.