Kathleen Funchion MEP: A voice for the North of Ireland in Brussels

In June 2016, the majority of people in England and Wales voted to take the ‘United Kingdom’ out of the European Union. This decision, known as Brexit, was taken without the consent of the people of the North of Ireland, where the Good Friday Agreement gives people the right to be British, Irish (and therefore EU citizens), or both, writes Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion MEP.

The subsequent several years of negotiations brought about what is commonly referred to as ‘the Protocol’. This essentially gives the North designated special status within the EU and Britain, but it also creates a democratic deficit. Whilst the North must adhere to many EU rules, it does not have elected representation at an EU level.

We in Sinn Féin believe that this democratic deficit must be addressed, and one practical (and partial) step would be to allocate observer MEPs for the North.

Observer MEPs should be directly elected by citizens in the North, would be able to take up their seats, and would have speaking rights in the European Parliament. Their main role would be articulate the needs and views of people in the North and to engage with EU institutions on their behalf.

The idea of observer MEPs is not a new one. Pre-unification Germany had observer MEPs, and more recently, in 2023, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola MEP suggested that Ukraine and Moldova could be allocated observer MEPs as they await formal accession into the EU.

Another very practical solution would be for direct dialogue between the northern Assembly and the European Parliament. Whilst there are informal meetings between MLAs and MEPs, there is no formal structure set up between the two legislators. The European Parliament is open to this idea, but unfortunately London insists on controlling all relations between devolved institutions and the EU.

In the absence of observer MEPs or direct dialogue, we have the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Britain. This delegation of MEPs meets monthly in Brussels or Strasbourg and twice a year in Brussels or London with their Westminster counterparts. It is through my membership of this delegation that I have committed to bring the voices and the concerns of people in the North to the European Parliament.

Of course, as a Sinn Féin Member of the European Parliament (MEP), it would be remiss of me to not bring up the elephant in the room: Irish reunification.

I am deeply committed to representing the people of the North and working towards a prosperous future for all of Ireland. I believe the best way for us to achieve this through a United Ireland.

The conversation on Irish unity is taking place across the 32 counties of Ireland in both private and public forums and recent political developments demonstrate that Ireland is changing, particularly with the election of Michelle O’Neill MLA as First Minister. For the first time ever, a nationalist has assumed this position, in a state designed to ensure a unionist majority.

This marked an historic moment for Ireland as a whole. This election demonstrates that Ireland has changed, with the future of our island open to all, regardless of background or identity. It showed that there is not one office out of reach for anyone in Irish society. The days of discrimination are gone – and they are not coming back.

In the Dáil, we have seen Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald TD lead the opposition. The first republican and the first woman to do so.

The North has long endured policies that have decimated public services and worsened inequality through harsh austerity measures imposed by the Tory government in Westminster. Their policies have destroyed public services and caused significant hardship.

For too long, the North has been hamstrung by decisions made in London. The people of the North deserve better. Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that the Executive, under Michelle O’Neill’s leadership, makes its own decisions and controls its economic future.

We in Sinn Féin are committed to working with those from British or unionist traditions, despite our differing views on Ireland’s constitutional future. The people of the North, regardless of their background, rightly demand cooperation and respect. It is our duty to respond to this call with honesty, transparency, and a willingness to work together to deliver real change for all.

The reunification of our country has often been seen as a long-term goal, but I believe this is now a viable project. It is crucial that we begin the work now, in practical terms.

In my previous role as a Teachta Dála for Carlow/Kilkenny and as Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committees for the Good Friday Agreement and for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration, and Youth, I focused on building cross-party collaboration and ensured that the all-island issues were firmly on the political agenda.

Now, my focus is on pushing the incoming Irish Government to take immediate action towards reunification, starting with the publication of a green paper that will outline a roadmap for the future of a united Ireland. We also need to see a citizens’ assembly and proper forums that represent all of the people of Ireland. Sinn Féin is fully committed to standing up for the rights and concerns of every citizen across the 32 counties of Ireland.

Our society is becoming increasingly diverse, and we must embrace this diversity. The days of second-class citizenship are gone, and we must continue to build a society where everyone is treated equally and with respect. This vision for Ireland is one where people can be Irish, British, both, or none – each identity is valid, and each person has a place in our collective future.

The challenges ahead are significant, but so too are the opportunities. Together, we can build a united, democratic, and inclusive Ireland – a place where every citizen, from every background, can thrive.

As a Sinn Féin MEP, I will continue to work tirelessly towards this goal.