Simon Harris and Mary Lou McDonald hold 'extremely constructive' talks on Irish unification

Speaking after the meeting, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the talks with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris as 'extremely constructive'. File picture

The leaders of Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have held discussions on Irish unification, with talks being described as “extremely constructive”.

Tánaiste Simon Harris and Mary Lou McDonald formally met over the prospect of a united Ireland, in the wake of several debates in the Dáil around unification.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms McDonald described the talks as “extremely constructive”.

“I think there is a recognition now that we need to work together collaboratively, that the preparations need to be made because this question of referendums is rooted firmly in the Good Friday Agreement,” Ms McDonald said.

“There’s an awful lot of work to be done. There is a lot of talking to be done, a lot of listening to be done and the planning needs to go ahead.”

 The Sinn Féin leader described the meeting as “another step” on the pathway to a referendum on a united Ireland.

She said the issue “should not be feared” and that it represented an opportunity to “shape our future together through mature leadership, respectful dialogue, and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement”.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Harris said he had committed to working alongside other party leaders to “advance the ongoing conversation about Irish unity”.

“On that basis and following a request from the leader of Sinn Féin, the Tánaiste met with Deputy McDonald earlier today to discuss these matters,” the spokesperson said.

“The Fine Gael leader looks forward to his continued work with Government colleagues and engagement with other party leaders on these issues in the future.” 

One Sinn Féin source said that while no joint approach between the parties had been agreed, the discussions had gone well.

The meeting comes a day after the appointment of a new secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Chris Bryant.

Initial discussions between foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee and Mr Bryant took place on Tuesday.

Ms McEntee said discussions focused on the “ongoing work in both jurisdictions to implement the joint framework on the legacy of the Troubles”.

“I emphasised the need for swift implementation of the commitments made by both governments under the joint framework,” said Ms McEntee.

“We also discussed EU-UK relations and my desire during our Presidency [of the EU] to build on progress made over the past two years.”