Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has voted by a narrow majority to call on the Irish government to establish an All-Ireland Citizens’ Assembly to discuss the constitutional future.

Proposer, Councillor Stephen McCann, Sinn Fein, said: “It’s no longer a question of 'if' Unification comes about, but 'when'.

"Transition to a new Ireland must be orderly, carefully planned and geared towards unlocking a society and economy which is forward-looking, inclusive and multicultural.

“Momentum is increasing, and appetite for change has never been stronger. That reality cannot be ignored.

"The future of public services and many other practical matters within the new Ireland are among many important issues a Citizens Assembly should discuss."

He added: “Unionism and Orangeism is part of our shared history, and must also be part of our future. The new Ireland provides an opportunity to join Orange and Green together in a new dispensation, based on equality.

"Space must be created to encourage Unionist participation and contribution ... Partition has failed all our people. Political leaders should be engaged in visionary thinking, rather than seeking to limit citizens’ aspirations.”

Seconding, party colleague Councillor Patrick Withers told members: “Huge change presents challenges and creates opportunities. Some may claim the cost-of-living crisis means now isn’t the time to focus on Irish unity; however, it’s right to do just that.

"We recognise not everyone feels supportive of Irish unity, and there are different views in society. We don’t own the conversation, nor want to, but we are part of it with others.”

Democratic Unionist Councillor Errol Thompson said: “The pro-union people believe in what they are about. We recently saw in Dublin [at the early October all-island Ireland's Future conference] what a shared island would look like.

"Even the mere mention of Northern Ireland was heckled. This motion is another arrogant assumption that wishes away everyone's comfortable living in this part of the United Kingdom.

"We’re in the middle of a serious cost-of-living crisis where support from Westminster is absolutely key, yet Sinn Fein MPs won’t turn up to work there.”

However, Councillor Adam Gannon SDLP described citizen assemblies as “a great initiative and a brilliant way to help our society".

He continued: "The discussion on this island’s future is very much alive, and Brexit brought it to the fore, along with the terrible Tory government.”

Referring to the Ireland’s Future event, and quoting actor James Nesbitt, who said the future of the island should be led by people not politicians, Councillor Gannon added: “I can’t help but agree.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor Matthew Bell enquired why preparation for constitutional change should be the case, as “while Sinn Fein may have been elected as the largest party, to use this as an argument that there is a desire for a united Ireland is false".

He continued: "There’s no evidence of a majority vote for a united Ireland ... I would have grave concerns for any Unionist attending a Citizens Assembly.

"[Tánaiste] Leo Varadkar was mocked at the Ireland’s Future event, and if that’s how Irish Nationalism treats fellow Irish Nationalists, I can’t imagine how they would treat a Unionist.

"My party opposes this motion and, simply put, we’ve better things to do.”

While agreeable to participatory democracy, Councillor Eamon Keenan, Independent, also referred to the Ireland’s Future event, noting it mainly comprised “political parties, big business and celebrities".

He continued: "We can’t allow a political service created by the powerful and wealthy to decide the future of our country. It must have grassroots, working class participation. The majority cannot be sidelined for the interests of the minority.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor Bert Wilson told members: “I do not welcome any interference from a foreign state. We exist as neighbours, and that’s how it should be.

"The will of the Unionist people was not broken and now we are lambasted by false propaganda.

"Who in their right mind would want to be part of this anti-protestant, anti-British state?" he claimed.

"In 1922, the same IRA burned a protestant property in Galway with the children inside it. We’ve seen fellow protestants and catholics who did not agree [with the IRA] being murdered.”

The final speaker was party colleague Councillor Robert Irvine, who noted: “The dialogue is of wanting to move forward in a new Ireland, yet Republicans in particular look back over centuries.

"They want retribution, recompense and apologies. That’s not moving forward, and don’t look back, which  the Unionist tradition try to do.

"We accept and appreciate what happened, and try to deal with it, but we don’t keep our feet in the past.

"A lot of Republicans’ feet are in the past, and while their narrative might look forward, their actions don’t portray what they say.”

The proposal went to a vote, which passed 17 to 14, with one abstention.