This is a proposal for a New Ireland, a new state, and the birth of a new nation. The representatives of the people of the existing state of Eire or Ireland are encouraged to offer, without delay and in a discreet manner, to enter into preliminary discussions on behalf of its people with the people of Northern Ireland, and primarily with those who consider themselves unionist, protestant or both. It is an invitation to enter exploratory discussions with representatives of the peoples North and South, with equality of participation between the two main groups, unionist and nationalist, leading to a new nation created by us all. This is not an invitation by the south to the North to join the state of Ireland. It is a proposal to begin collaboration among all those of the island of Ireland, North, South, East, and West to create a new state, to be known perhaps as New Ireland. To call it that is no more exceptional than New Zealand, New South Wales, New England, or Newfoundland. It would be a new state evolving in time to become a new nation.

It has sometimes been assumed that an entirely new state was either unworkable, undesirable, or both. The idea of a New Ireland negotiated and agreed upon by all the people on the island, with the support of Britain, the EU, and the world community, is not only feasible but likely to be the best approach to defining our future. Some have considered it too complicated in terms of the adoption of public affairs of both Ireland and Northern Ireland, especially regarding the many challenges in the North. The south has had its own challenges too. A closer study of the creation of a new state shows that it is much more feasible than it might at first appear.

This Proposal is an evolution of the discussions that led to the Peace Process and embodies both the spirit and the letter of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in its entirety, with a forthright variation of emphasis on how this is to be achieved by prior negotiation of terms in advance of any referendum.  This is not the first time that talks before referenda have been suggested. This route raises the attractive possibility of presenting an agreed new state to the entire island’s electorates. This is not the first Proposal for a state encompassing the island of Ireland. It may well be first to propose an entirely new nation, negotiated by us all.

The adaptations of Ireland’s structures and Northern Ireland’s respective state are relatively straightforward, allowing a level of malleability as required. It is rendered a lot easier by the existence of a common legal heritage, conveniently called the common law, and a similar public service structure. The acceptance of the possibility of a new nation is a courageous starting point and a vital vision that can sustain our wellbeing for long into the future.  It builds on our similarities and would strengthen our relationships.

To this end, it is proposed that there would be a vital and inspirational collective body at an early stage, a ‘Council of New Ireland,’ that would have overarching care for the new nation, especially in the settling-in years. It can guide the negotiations and be an ongoing clearinghouse for differences that will inevitably arise. It will deal sensitively with all past questions in an equal manner and supervise citizens’ assemblies. Its chair can be an international stateswoman or man, such as Angela Merkel of Germany, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, or others who have a proven track record to ensure that the Council remains robust, accurate, and balanced. The Council would supervise an assembly of the people meeting in the round to which all issues, concerns, disputes, and problems can be referred for the fullest discussion and consideration.

The Council would guard the integrity of the negotiation process itself and such arrangements as arise from it. Its secretariat could be located initially in the current North-South Ministerial offices in Armagh. It is considered that the membership of this Council is balanced as between the old national and union divide on the island. It would also have a proportionate representation of those of increasing number who, from birth elsewhere or personal conviction, belong to neither. This balance would be structured so that members of the unionist tradition would not be capable of being outnumbered in the event of a vote. This provision should be preserved in place for as long a period as considered necessary. It will not have parliamentary authority, but its protective role will earn it respected influence.

At an early point, the process would include citizens’ assemblies to generate the most open discussion of all the issues of concern. The assemblies’ format will need to be flexible to create inclusive participation bearing in mind the needs of particular groups.  The Council itself can be considered an enduring part of New Ireland’s landscape and could absorb a ceremonial role and the advisory functions currently conducted by Ireland’s Council of State. The equality of membership and duration could be locked into the constitution of New Ireland.

The process could begin with informal soundings with influential members of the protestant tradition. This would hopefully be followed at the right time by a bold invitation from the Government of Ireland to its counterparts in Northern Ireland and the UK government to enter into early discussions and adopt a joint declaration. The declaration would express the explicit intention of creating an enduring peace between all people, young and old, on the island of Ireland, and as between all the nations of our Western Archipelago. The contemporaneous support of the EU, the USA, and the United Nations would be invited for this early outreach.

There are many ‘must-haves in a new Ireland aside from the obvious agreement requirement on such a direction that is again consistent with the various agreements from 1988 onwards. These include a universal public health system, an education provision for the island, and the option to the right of continued citizenship of the United Kingdom. The details are for negotiation, but it also seems evident that transition to a new Civil Service, including police, would be required, studied, and negotiated. An economic dividend is highly desirable, and the complex practicalities of the economic implications for all need to be examined and the various studies already carried out to be heeded. Transition periods for agencies will be required as well as detailed budget proposals. The question of citizenship of Ireland and the UK needs to be clear and fluid for all existing Irish and UK nationals resident in NI. The benefits of Irish citizenship, including those arising by consequent EU Citizenship of Irish citizens, are already enjoyed by a vast number in the North, together with access to the Erasmus programme, freedom of travel, and health care in the EU. Continuation of all such rights needs to be ensured.

With sufficient determination and the skill and experience of many public servants, professionals, academics, and commentators, including support from abroad, New Ireland’s creation is very possible. It is also becoming increasingly attractive and palatable in an ever-muddying pool.  With many shared activities already in place, such as in the health sector, Waterways Ireland, and the potential of Tourism Ireland, the inclusion of all features and services of a contemporary democracy and increase in participative democracy can be achieved. The question of infrastructure can be examined within a clear light on environmental challenges and commitments already entered into to reduce greenhouse emissions and to accelerate the responses to the remediation of the existing ecological harm. To bring added value to the North, several projects can be considered, such as a Free trade area and additional education and university campuses in the broader hinterland of Derry and the east coast economic corridor with emphasis on IT and green manufacturing.

Particular cultural recognition of each other’s heritage would lead to a stimulation of a new cultural era, building on an already strong heritage in music, literature, art,  and film. The release of energy from the coming together of previously divided polarities has the potential to unleash a period of creativity never before known on this island. Together we can gift more to the world and to generations to come. The world family will be encouraged at our coming together in a new nation.

The Proposal also challenges everyone to release all vestiges of discrimination, bigotry, or disrespect of any person in our society. It is up to us put in place a set of public and private values that will inform our new nation-state and culture and which will sustain us physically, economically, and culturally. Together we can create a quality of life and ethics in politics and life activities that support families and ensure opportunity equality. The state apparatus can focus increasingly on the genuine service and needs of all, with increases in participative democracy and our relationship to the Earth.

Discussions and negotiations would take place in a collegial spirit without attempting to drive too hard a bargain.  From the outset, they would adopt a spirit of friendship and respect and seek fair terms. If levels of taxation are to be increased in the short term and those with more are asked to contribute a higher percentage, this is a direction that the collective wellbeing will justify. Support will be sought and anticipated in the vast Irish diaspora, the EU, and other sources.

This document is a place for broad brush strokes in the new canvas that depicts a new state’s vision and the evolution of New Ireland.  All existing benefits and obligations of the Irish State would be subsumed into the new state. Such existing official and public structures as are necessary for smooth transition would be absorbed into it. Likewise, the official structures of Northern Ireland will be taken into the new state. This can be a genuine partnership among all the peoples of all parts of the island of Ireland, North, South, East, and west, in our new civic landscape.

The direction proposed here marks a big step forward from the 1998 Agreements. It is not the only route to a new nation. Still, its early timing removes the undesirable scenario of negotiation under the shadow of a potentially divisive and possibly narrowly won unity referendum under the overly vague terms of the 1998 agreement. This Proposal takes it back to a matter of our collective choices. The uncertainties of the current structures and the tension already created can be overtaken by this new process, an extension of the peace process. This scheme is entirely democratic. It puts all negotiations, all timing, and all outcomes in the hands of all the people after thorough consideration and negotiation and the oversight of the New Ireland Council of equals.

What will our new nation be like? May we venture that it will be an inspiring place to live for ourselves and our visitors. We can finally relieve the plight of the homeless and deprived and provide quality housing stock for all. Our land will be tended with greater care, and the animals that are grown for food will have more space and more time outdoors. The young will increasingly look forward to a place where they can live out the fullness of their lives in the families they will create. In this new nation, we will celebrate our new togetherness. We will be curious and learn from each other’s cultures and home places, towns and townlands, villages, and countryside. The practice of respectful empathy towards each other will help us grow in our individual lives and our shared humanity. As all of us draw on the strength of all the traditions, we will benefit in all areas of life and culture. In particular, our respective entrepreneurial aptitudes and massively generous levels of voluntarism can help build the communities and economies of the future and ground new practices of participative democracy. Our nation will be stronger, we will be clearer in outlook as individuals, and we will more readily understand the wider world and care for Earth’s delicate ecology.

Travel will be more widespread in our new state. Many will visit more of the places yet unexplored. Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Clare will be as well known in Ballyclare, Ardboe, and all Lough Neagh’s shores as the Shannon River’s great expanse in Athlone. The magnificent Glens of Antrim will become as well known in Dublin and farther as in Ballymena. Southerners will learn of the ancient settlement of Mountsandel in Coleraine, nearly twice as old as Newgrange! We will all better know the land of mists and mysteries. Irish cuisine can take its place on the world culinary stage. All persons or groups, age, orientation, race, or background will be considered equal. We will move into the best of times of which, in years to come, the steps we take to build our new nation will be hailed, praised, and appreciated.

What is offered here is a bold but inspired proposal that the South and the North join together to create New Ireland. We will have a new and valued recognition and place among the nations of the Earth. This is an invitation to the creation of such a nation. Perhaps it is the land and country we have all been waiting for. This Proposal is offered in the hope that the time has come for such a creative move. It is a joint enterprise. It moves us all away from the possibility of an unwelcome outcome being forced on unionists by an undesired result of a referendum. More is the gain for us all in this Proposal, regardless of background and tradition, because this offers a jointly agreed project for governance on this island. It invites all the people of this land to work in harmony and inspire confidence in each other. In bringing out the best in all of us, we can work together to build the society that we will be proud to leave to our children and their children and indeed beyond them.  Let us embark on this endeavor and make our ancestors and children proud of us in this onward step.