1. We need expand the definition of Irishness - one million people living on this island were not born here but call it home, says @IRLPatricia in a discussion chaired in #Derry today by @SusanMcKay15 @IrelandsFuture
2. We need to have an approach to dialogue which allows every voice to be heard. But those who say it's divisive to have the #unity debate need to be gently but firmly reminded that closing down this debate is attempt silence legitimate political aspirations, says @IRLPatricia
@IRLPatricia 3. Many people are engaging in this constitutional conversation because they take the possibility of a "new Ireland" very seriously indeed - it has transformative potential says @cjhumanrights
4. It's time to work on a manifesto for a new Ireland says @cjhumanrights. He called the Irish gov to show leadership: it cannot be a bystander on the #unity conversation, it cannot wait to see what London does this discussion needs to be led from Ireland
5. Young people will decide what happens with this island and they need to be given a manifesto for change leading to more fair, liberal and open society, says @columeastwood. There needs to be a European dimension too. A new Ireland cannot be about settling old scores.
@columeastwood 6. My view is the UK is coming to an end, says @columeastwood. But he said there was still a place and role for #Stormont. Says politicians' job with the institutions is to prove politics can work. and offer a positive vision for the future which everyone can embrace.
7. Young loyalist boys have worst outcomes in the North. I'm not interested in flags, says @aoifegracemoore: I'd like to talk about a future which lifts young people out of poverty
@aoifegracemoore 8. In-betweeners need to be part of this conversation says @aoifegracemoore ie people who don't simply define as #Irish or #British
9. A call for a #citizensassembly came from @DeclanKearneySF. He says we need to think about how to include people from Protestant and #unionist backgrounds bec many are reassessing due to Brexit and #protocol. He applauds people from this backgrounds taking part #unity debate
10. Transition to #unity needs to be orderly, unlocking forward-looking, inclusive, multicultural society. Unity is not just abt self-determination but abt being modernising force. Constitutional change is unprecedented opportunity to redesign Irish society says @DeclanKearneySF
@SusanMcKay15 12. With young people the hunger for #unitedireland is more about the hunger for change - for more opportunities and jobs, better healthcare and housing, women's bodily autonomy, says @aoifegracemoore, Says @BelfastAgmt dividend hasn't happened in #derry
13. It is frankly shameful we don't have a full-sized university in #derry - that third-level institution could have an economic impact and help the North-West area to reach its full potential says @columeastwood. But he says #Stormont could deliver that
14. The lack of a university for #Derry is "iconic" as an example of the discrimination in the North, says @DeclanKearneySF
@DeclanKearneySF 15. @DeclanKearneySF said #Derry had the lowest level of mental health and wellbeing, and economic and social transformation was essential
16. There was a natural expectation there would be accountability for the #BloodySunday50 murders on the streets here, says @IRLPatricia. The fact there hasn't been accountability means there is unfinished business
17. So many people continue to be affected by the horrors of the conflict because there is transgenerational trauma, says @IRLPatricia. Stormont House, St Andrew's and Good Friday Agreement all made vague, waffly promises about dealing with #legacy issues but it hasn't happened
18. People forced to use inquests+public inquiries to deal with #legacy issues. Instead let's look at structures which political parties signed up to, so we can say to victims+survivors we feel your pain+we want to ensure we do what we can to make reparation, says @IRLPatricia
19. Many activists are not organising along traditional labels and lines - they don't see themselves in those terms. They note that equality rights, climate and social justice issues have been casualties of the political system in the North, says @cjhumanrights
20. Those proposing constitutional change need to make it clear that a new Ireland will be a safe space for everyone, if that's the eventual outcome, says @cjhumanrights. He said those conversations are happening and they are accelerating
@cjhumanrights 21. @IRLPatricia says we need to protect those with an Ulster-British identity in a new Ireland - stresses they won't lose that identity
22. Broadly speaking nationalist voters don't like to see @sinnfeinireland and @SDLPlive clashing, says an observation from a member of the public. Urges them to work together.
23. @columeastwood
says he wants transparency on #legacy issues from both the British government and the IRA because every victim deserves to know what happened. Says so too does society so we can put it behind us
says he wants transparency on #legacy issues from both the British government and the IRA because every victim deserves to know what happened. Says so too does society so we can put it behind us
24. We have a duty to find common ground with other parties in the context of Irish reunification - no one party has a monopoly on this says @DeclanKearneySF. Says we need to work together with @fiannafailparty @FineGael @labourirish and other parties aspiring to change
25. #Unity is the defining issue of our time says @DeclanKearneySF and it is not just something for political parties to deliver but for society to work towards and embrace
26. There is a "don't frighten the horses" attitude to #unity in #leinsterhouse says @aoifegracemoore. Says the government is behind the people in this important conversation - people are talking about themselves about constitutional change and its potential
27. There is no risk assessment in Irish government circles re Irish unity but a risk assessment has been done for Scottish unity, says @aoifegracemoore
@aoifegracemoore 28. Exit Dublin airport and turn left - within 50 mins you're in Newry where you have a workforce, affordable housing, space to build more housing, says @IRLPatricia. We need to look to international businesses and say there is income to be made from #Unity
29. Everything we're talking about is in the @BelfastAgmt which everybody loves says @cjhumanrights. We all know civil society leads these conversations and the Irish government will catch up eventually and claim the credit
30. The Irish government will get there, says @columeastwood. He advised that straight talking was the best way to speak to everyone on this island -especially people in the North whether unionist or nationalist who prefer directness
31. There is no logic or justification for the Irish Government not to convene a #citizensassembly says @DeclanKearneySF. It is a milestone we could take to structure the discussion. Says Irish Gov policy is out of step with wider society and with its own parties' grassroots
32. Prospect of @sinnfeinireland in government on both parts of the island will be a "game changer" for the constitutional question says @DeclanKearneySF. But says he'd prefer current Irish government not to wait for that but to move ahead with #unity conversation
33. If #unity was voted for there'd be a serious transition period re health and pensions says @columeastwood. Notes the #NHS is not the asset it used to be because waiting lists mean people struggle to access it
34. I don't want to prop up a #NHS that doesn't have decent outcomes for the community says @IRLPatricia
35. The #NHS is falling apart in the North, it's collapsing says @cjhumanrights. Says right to healthcare should be enshrined in a new Ireland, as well as housing rights
36. Healthcare is pivotal - it's the one public service we rely on from the cradle to the grave, says @DeclanKearneySF . Heath needs to be understood as a right and it must be free at the point of delivery for every citizen
37. We need to attract more people into this dialogue to identify the issues at the heart of their concerns, says @IRLPatricia. Urges continued lobbying of govs to ensure appropriate plans in place. Says Irish gov needs to hear concerns of nationalists not just unionists
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