Brendan Smith Urges Joint All-Island Referendum Preparation
Brendan Smith addressed guests on the need for thorough preparation ahead of any future referendum, urging that it be planned well in advance and held on the same day across the island. He welcomed the emphasis on preparation and stressed that those who aspire to a United Ireland want the referendum process organised in good time.
Preparation and timing
Mr Smith welcomed the guests' focus on proper preparation in advance of a referendum, saying the theme of planning had featured across meetings. He argued that adequate processes must be in place before any question is put to the people.
Same-day all-island vote
He said it would be "rather bizarre" if a referendum were not held in Northern Ireland on the same day as in the state, insisting it is important that people across the island decide on the same question on the same day. He recalled the 22nd of May 1998 vote under the Good Friday Agreement as a precedent when the people of the island voted together - the first time since 1918 that had occurred - and warned that staggered referendums would lead to subsequent problems.
Constitution unit advisory question
Mr Smith asked whether the guests' unit or people in their college had contributed to advising new administrations in Eastern Europe after the late 1980s and early 1990s transitions. He sought clarification on whether the constitution unit had been involved in advising on political structures for newly emerging states.
Closing thanks and future engagement
He thanked the guests for their work, expressed hope for further engagement, and reiterated the desire among proponents of a United Ireland to see a referendum carried out with proper preparation. He closed by thanking Oka Hirdig.
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Thanks very much, Chairman. I welcome guests and their contribution. Could I just say I welcome the fact that you laid a huge emphasis on the need for proper preparation in advance of a referendum and I think that's a theme that has gone through all our meetings here in regard to the need to plan for what those of us who aspire to United Ireland are passionate about it, we want to see that and we want to see the referendum preparation done in good time before any question is put to the people. I think it'd be rather bizarre if the referendum wasn't held in Northern Ireland on the same day as in our state because I think it'd be important that the people on all of our island were deciding on the same question on the same day. We were privileged as a generation on the 22nd of May 1998 to vote as part of one, as one unit practically that day voting on the same day voting on the same day voting on the same day voting on the same day voting on the question in regard to adopting the Good Friday Agreement. And we should always remind ourselves that that was the first time since 1918 that the people of all of this island voted on the same question on the same day. So I sincerely hope that when a referendum is called and the necessary preparation in processes in place that all of our country of the electorate will vote on the same day on that particular question. I think it would lead to all sorts of problems subsequent to one referendum being held and then another one to follow on. Could I also just ask the guests, your unit, obviously you do academic works, the nature of your work, has your unit contributed to the new political orders or to giving advice, say in Eastern Europe when those countries thankfully from the late 1980s onwards and the early 1990s when they got their freedom, when they got their freedom, when they got their freedom, they had to set up new governance, new administrations. Was the constitution unit or some people in your college anyway involved in advising the new administrations there on the political structure that would best suit their newly emerging states? So I thank you for your work and hopefully we will have the opportunity to further engagement with you in the future as we walk towards a desired referendum. Thank you, Oka Hirdig. Thank you, Oka Hirdig.
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