Northern Ireland

Cost not the main factor in unity debate, Ireland’s incoming leader says

Simon Harris is expected to become taoiseach this week.

Narrow Water Point and Warrenpoint Port seen from from Flagstaff Viewpoint on the hills outside Newry where the Newry River flows out to Carlingford Lough, the UK and Republic of Ireland share a border through the lough
Narrow Water Point and Warrenpoint Port seen from from Flagstaff Viewpoint on the hills outside Newry where the Newry River flows out to Carlingford Lough, the UK and Republic of Ireland share a border through the lough (Liam McBurney/PA)
By David Young, PA

Cost should not be the overbearing factor in consideration of a united Ireland, Simon Harris has insisted.

The Fine Gael leader and incoming taoiseach said despite his view that reunification should not be a priority at the present time, he said he remained committed to the objective and hoped he would see it achieved in his lifetime.

Mr Harris told reporters on Friday that achieving a united Ireland was not where his priorities currently lie.

On Sunday he was asked about that stance and also on the findings of a new study from the Dublin-based Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) that suggested unification could cost the Irish government 20 billion euros a year for 20 years, with a 25% increase in taxation potentially needed to shoulder the costs of uniting Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“Instinctively, I want to see a united Ireland and cost isn’t the overbearing factor,” Mr Harris told RTE in response to the report’s findings.

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But he stressed his priority was harnessing the “full potential” of the Good Friday Agreement and building better cross border relations.

Mr Harris, who is set to become taoiseach on Tuesday, will attend a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on Monday.

It will be outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s last political engagement before formally tendering his resignation to the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins on Monday evening.

Mr Harris said he would not be dismissive of the IIEA report but said its findings had prompted a lot of scrutiny.

“There’s a dynamic effect to any economic change, but the point is the Good Friday Agreement provides a way forward for people’s political aspirations,” he told RTE’s The Week In Politics show.

“The priority right now, in my view, for the people on the island of Ireland is to live in peace, live in prosperity, get to know each other better, cooperate and collaborate.”

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speaking at the 82nd Fine Gael Ard Fheis
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speaking at the 82nd Fine Gael Ard Fheis (Brian Lawless/PA)

In a later interview with RTE’s This Week programme, Mr Harris was asked was he turning his back on Fine Gael’s founding principle of seeking a united Ireland.

“Let me be clear, I want to see a united Ireland, I believe in a united Ireland, it is in the title of my party,” he said.

He added: “It’s my personal political aspiration that we would see one in my lifetime but I’m one person, as taoiseach of this country, should I be given that honour next week, my immediate priority will be on ensuring that we can see the full potential and beauty of the Good Friday Agreement in peace and prosperity across this island and closer relationships with our nearest neighbour in the UK.

“And I think that’s where the focus should be right now.”

Mr Harris said peace on the island was “enduring” but cautioned that it could be “chilly” and “frosty” at times.

“So, I want my focus to be on practical areas of cooperation and collaboration and getting to know each other better,” he added.