Thread by @DevlinMartina

1. British government has sole say in timing of #borderpoll and is not bound to make decision in good faith says @JohnDoyleDCU. It can choose to do so at a time when it thinks it will kill off the debate. So Ireland needs to be ready he warns @IrelandsFuture #jointheconversation

2. Waiting for #unionist politicians to be ready before having the #unity discussion is not only pointless but disrespects their position says @JohnDoyleDCU Discussion needs to proceed now, he says. Unionists will join the debate later @IrelandsFuture #jointheconversation

3. We need to put our #unity proposals on the table now and have the maximum amount of detail in them, says @JohnDoyleDCU @IrelandsFuture #jointheconversation

4. We believe we should frame this conversation in language of opportunity and not any zero sum game. A conversation in which each has a voice and none has a veto, says @MaryLouMcDonald

5. A variety of perspectives enrich the #unity conversation. And while unionism, as we've heard may not formally engage with the conversation until we have a referendum I still believe it's critical that we invite them, says @MaryLouMcDonald

6. Nobody is handing down a new Ireland in tablets of stone. I'm not doing that and frankly it's not my job, says @MaryLouMcDonald

7. Whether your grannies were in the GPO or your relatives were in the H-Blocks or served and fought in World War One and World War Two - that's not really the point, says @MaryLouMcDonald. Ireland must advance. The question for us is what does that look like? @IrelandsFuture

8. Pursuit of reunification through peaceful means is a perfectly legitimate political objective. It's also a constitutional objective, says @OCallaghanJim. For too long it's been presented as subversive or sinister he says

9. It's also legitimate to oppose unity says @OCallaghanJim. Says we need to engage with people who disagree with us or we don't have confidence in strength of our argument.

10. When two states were formed on the island Ireland was dominated by monoliths: Orange and Green, Protestant and Catholic. That's changed says @OCallaghanJim

11. The real question we need to answer is what's the benefit of Irish reunification says @OCallaghanJim. He says it would transform the island and create greater opportunities for all

12. Unity would create economic benefits, a more diverse population and Ireland would be a shining beacon to the world of what can be achieved through reconciliation, says @OCallaghanJim

13. I firmly and wholeheartedly believe in a united Ireland and I'm convinced we're going to be voting on this a lot sooner than anyone expects, says @nealerichmond

14. It's not incendiary or offensive to favour unity, says @nealerichmond. Says he speaks as someone who didn't have a great-granny who was out in 2916 but he's fairly sure he had relatives shooting into the GPO rather than out of it

15. We can achieve something so much better with a new+confident Ireland that's a warm place, a generous place - not about Brits out but Brits in, where those who identify as British are welcome, says @nealerichmond

16. We will respect British identity in a new Ireland says @nealerichmond - both that of British citizens currently living in the Republic and those who identify as British in the North

17. This conversation has to happen every hour of every day in a non-confrontational manner, says @nealerichmond

18. Protecting minority rights will be key in a new Ireland says @JohnDoyleDCU. Notes that's not just unionist rights which are protected under #goodfridayagreement but people of colour, women, LGBT and Traveller rights.

19. Rights would be guaranteed under a new constitution for Ireland says @OCallaghanJim. Says a new draft constitution needs to be prepared which sets out rights of individuals

20. We also need a process of reconciliation says @OCallaghanJim

21. A national health service on the island of Ireland is needed says @MaryLouMcDonald. Urges the preparation now for all-island health service. Says similar issues are highlighted by healthcare workers in both jurisdictions eg over reliance on agency workers + diagnostic issues

22. We need a Citizens' Assembly because we have to democratise this process, says @MaryLouMcDonald. Civic and political leaders will have heavy lifting to do but grassroots opinion must be involved, she insists

23. People fall into the trap of radicalisation when they aren't economically stable says @DrUmarAlQadri - but when they are economically stable they don't fall into the trap of division. A united Ireland is going to provide a solution to division, he says

24. It's a mistake to refer to the North as another country, says @MaryLouMcDonald

25. It's also a mistake to assume #unity would mean taking on a massive financial burden, says @MaryLouMcDonald. Says wouldn't be a reasonable ask to burden population with insurmountable debt.

26. @MaryLouMcDonald says the solution is to create an economy of scale which gives us a chance collectively to get things right around things like health and higher education.

27. Polarisation in NI has to be tackled and resolved, says @OCallaghanJim. But as the monoliths sink, the irreconcilability of both traditions will fade away, he predicts

28. Unity does not mean uniformity says @OCallaghanJim. One of the successes of the peace process has been the #PSNI he says and no reason why we shouldn't retain a regional police force with #unity

28. I don't envisage a new Ireland ad a hard military power but we can have incredible influence and soft power says @MaryLouMcDonald

29. At times when you look at the discourse around #unity issue it turns into the negative skid, says @nealerichmond - people should take care how they frame the discussion. Says NI much better place today than 1998 when #goodfridayagreement signed + that emphasis must continue

30. Well done to @AudreyCarville for her expert chairing of this important #unity discussion. @IrelandsFuture #jointheconversation