Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said: "It is clear there is a growing demand for Irish unity across the island and conversations on the issue are well underway. There have been calls made for a number of years for a forum or other body to discuss unity and that is evidence of the increasing interest in unity." 

The Sinn Féin MP added: "But what nationalists want to see is action; not just words. People want to see the Irish government living up to its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement, including its provision for a referendum on Irish unity. We now need to see the Irish government actively beginning preparations for Irish unity in earnest." 

According to Hazzard "this should involve the setting up of a joint Oireachtas committee on Irish unity, the convening of a Citizen's Assembly representative of the island, and the publication of a white paper on Irish unity. It is now time for the Irish government to act."