Mary Lou McDonald urged Enda Kenny to push for Irish unity at an EU level

Mary Lou McDonald has said that she would be open to discussions on Ireland joining the Commonwealth if unionists were to compromise on reunification.

Sinn Fein published a discussion document on uniting Ireland yesterday suggesting that Brexit could hasten a referendum on the matter.

In the foreword of the document Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader, said that the changing political circumstances were creating “fresh opportunities” for new relationships between the two traditions on the island.

Under the party’s vision there would be a new constitution drafted, economies north and south would merge and all-island national health and education services would be introduced.

In order to appease unionists a series of enshrined protections would be put in place including the option of British citizenship and