Communities on both sides of the border being invited to submit ideas for potential Irish unity referendum

Seanad Éireann are asking the public for their vision for the future of the island of Ireland.

Seanad Éireann are inviting the public to submit ideas for the constitutional future of the island of Ireland. The Seanad Public Consultation Committee are hosting the hearings to mark the centenary of the formation of the Seanad. "The Committee encourages people from all traditions and opinions to lend their voices to this process and welcomes the voices of the Unionist Community and their vision for the future," the Seanad said. "The Seanad Public Consultation Committee acknowledges the ongoing work of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement on this matter." The aims of the talks are to receive the views of young people from throughout the island, and for the criteria for a future referendum. Societal and economic opportunities and challenges being considered for the island are health care, housing, education, economy, climate change, biodiversity, culture and language, and reconciliation, including the question of the subvention (grant paid by the Government) to Northern Ireland. The public are invited to submit their thoughts to the committee, with some members of the public being invited to attend a public consultation meeting, which is set to be held in the Seanad Chamber in Leinster House. The dates for these hearings are Friday 30 September, Friday 7 October, and Friday 4 November. Each day will consist of two parts. A morning session will focus on "listening to the voices of young people and experts expressing their views on the constitutional future and how public policy can protect their future and safeguard the Good Friday Agreement [and] logistical assistance from Foróige, second level schools and other youth organisations". The afternoons will consist of three sessions, focusing on public policy, voices of all communities, and a potential referendum and lessons from past ones. The Committee will then publish a report in which it will make its findings and recommendations. The closing date for submissions is 4pm on Monday 5 September. You can make submissions via email at seanadpublicconsult@oireachtas.ie. Information on how to make a submission will be on the Houses of the Oireachtas website.