The Reform Movement 

The Reform Movement is a non-denominational, non-party movement founded in the Irish Republic by those who share an Irish-British tradition, who are descended from Southern Irish unionists, and those from the Redmondite tradition. Reform also represents post-nationalist opinion in the Irish Republic. We believe that true reconciliation within these islands can be achieved only when the Republic of Ireland accepts that it is closely linked to the United Kingdom socially, culturally and economically.

We seek the celebration of diversity and an acknowledgement of differences to be reflected in a secular constitution.

THE COUNCIL OF THE ISLES

We welcome the creation of the new Council of the Isles. To make the council more accountable and inclusive to the citizens of these Islands, the Reform Movement proposes that membership of the Council should be by electoral mandate. This accountability would recognise the reality that our country is linked by close political, social, cultural and economic ties with our neighbours in the rest of the Archipelago.

MINORITY CONCERNS

We believe that the central challenge facing the politicians on these islands is that of reconciling the needs of minorities with those of majorities. The Irish Republic must develop a new and more inclusive attitude towards all its minorities, and allow institutional expression of minority concerns, such as that embodied in the Good Friday Agreement.

While there have been enormous concessions to minority aspirations in Northern Ireland, the Republic has lagged shamefully behind. It would be a sign of real maturity for dissent to be actively encouraged.
Among our proposals are:-

(1) That the Taoiseach should reserve five of his senate nominations for those sections of the population whose views are under-represented in public life. There are, for instance, no unionists in the Oireachtas.

(2) That just as nationalists are permitted to fly the tricolour in Northern Ireland, others should be free in the Republic to celebrate their identity though the use of flags and other national symbols.

(3) That the words and music of the Irish national anthem should be rewritten to reflect the heterogeneous nature of the Irish of today, rather than the narrow, violent nationalism of another time.

LANGUAGES : A COMMON-SENSE APPROACH

The Reform Movement believes that English and Irish should be made equal official languages to reflect the reality of the Irish situation. Also, we question the compulsory role that Irish has been made to play in our schools which has resulted in the shameful lack of other language instruction, especially in the primary school curriculum. The school curriculum should instead reflect the realities of Ireland's relationship with the rest of the European Community.

We believe that it is time to abandon the discriminatory policy of making proficiency in Irish a requirement for employment in State agencies, the security forces and the legal profession.

CITIZENSHIP : EQUAL RIGHTS

We support the present policy in the Good Friday Agreement of extending rights of Irish citizenship to those in Northern Ireland who want it. However we believe that the Irish-British minority in the South should have the same rights.

We call upon both governments to see that British citizenship is extended to those in the Republic of Ireland who request it. We therefore desire a situation whereby anyone born in Ireland would have the right to be either Irish, British or both. This would reflect the diversity of culture and identity on this island.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES : THE COMMONWEALTH

We believe that Ireland, as a republic, should follow the Republics of Namibia, Fiji and South Africa in joining the Commonwealth. In doing so, the Irish State would find for itself a new forum for dealing with economic, legal, cultural and political matters of mutual interest. We believe the Commonwealth Games would also offer attractive new incentives to our athletes.

We note with special interest that the Cameroons and Mozambique - which were never U.K. possessions - have recently joined the Commonwealth.

Please visit the reform movement website here.