Senator Conor Murphy has said that new research which shows no economic barriers to Irish Unity, is very welcome.
Commenting on research produced by a joint research programme between Ulster University and Dublin City University, the Senator said,
“I welcome the clear recognition in this research that the cost of Unity has been exaggerated because the subvention has been misunderstood and misinterpreted.
"This comprehensive research has delivered a fatal blow to economic arguments against a united Ireland. The research published rightly states that ‘the costs associated with Unity have tended to be exaggerated and the benefits of an all-Ireland economy largely ignored.
"Progress has been held back for too long by fear mongering about the so-called ‘subvention’, a British accounting practice that never represented the economic cost of Irish Unity”
The Irish Seanad member continued, “Irish Unity is an economic opportunity that we need to grasp. That means doing the preparation work now.
"Government needs to get into gear and get into step with the momentum behind Irish Unity. We need to see vision and leadership on this defining issue.
"I believe that Irish Unity will unlock the potential of the Island economy and in particular that a United Ireland will ensure that the border region which I represent becomes an engine of industry, commerce and tourism.
"This research leaves no doubt that this Irish Unity can deliver economic benefits to people across this Island. We need to build on this with confidence and ambition.
“Irish Unity is the future, and we need to begin preparing for that future now.”


