Written Evidence – The Royal Commonwealth Society and The Royal Commonwealth Society Ireland Branch (BRI0006)

Executive Summary

• Discussion of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) rejoining the Commonwealth of Nations has been rekindled in recent months.
• The return of the ROI to the Commonwealth has the potential to further strengthen ties between the ROI, Northern Ireland (NI) and the rest of the United Kingdom (UK). This move could provide for enhanced collaboration, stronger diplomatic relations, and greater cooperation and ‘soft power’ connections between the two countries.
• The ROI has strong links with Commonwealth countries in terms of aid, trade, diaspora and sport to name a few areas.
• Today the Commonwealth is both an international institution that serves its member states and a broader network of people and organisations, which collaborate towards mutual prosperity and the realisation of shared values.

The Royal Commonwealth Society

1. The Royal Commonwealth Society, founded in 1868, is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, the Royal Commonwealth Society promotes the value and the values of the Commonwealth. We champion human rights, democracy and sustainable development across the 53 member states which are intrinsically linked through their common history and shared values[1].

Establishment of the Ireland Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society

2. The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Ireland Branch was established in April 2015 in Dublin. Its objectives include raising awareness and understanding of the Commonwealth in Ireland; serving as a visible link to the Commonwealth for those living in Ireland who originate from Commonwealth countries; enhancing peace, reconciliation and prosperity across the island of Ireland and throughout the Commonwealth and; supporting Ireland’s re-entry into the Commonwealth, should this be the wish of the Irish people[2].

History of the Republic of Ireland and the Commonwealth

3. The ROI exited the Commonwealth in 1949, following its declaration as a Republic. However, it previously left the UK in 1922 and became a Dominion. In the 1920s and 1930s the then Irish Free State played a crucial role in the transformation of the Commonwealth into an association of free, democratic and sovereign states. After Ireland left, the Commonwealth continued to evolve. The 1949 London declaration, noting India’s independence, ended the bar on Republics being members of the Commonwealth and the group of states became the ‘Commonwealth of Nations’. By agreement of the member states the Queen remained Head of the Commonwealth, but only as the symbol of a free association of independent countries. In the 1950s and 1960s Commonwealth membership served as a bridge to world affairs for many newly sovereign states in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

The modern Commonwealth of Nations

4. Today the Commonwealth is an international organisation of 53 states, 32 of which are Republics. It is committed to peace, democracy, human rights, racial equality, sustainable development, and the rule of law. These common values are enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member states to uphold these values.

5. Commonwealth countries and their peoples are able to draw upon shared common legal systems, similar political institutions and a shared language to advance bilateral and multilateral connections in diplomacy, trade, development, culture and sport.

6. The Commonwealth is also connected through numerous networks, civil society organisations, and professional associations and youth groups. Over 80 of these are formally accredited to the Commonwealth Secretariat. These groups work in areas as diverse as education, health and urban planning.

Renewed discussion of Ireland’s Commonwealth membership

7. Discussion of the ROI re-joining the Commonwealth has been rekindled following HM The Queen’s visit to the ROI in 2011 and that of HE The President of Ireland, Michael Higgins’ State visit to the UK in 2014. UK Conservative MP Michael Fabricant raised the prospect of the ROI re-joining the Commonwealth in 2014[3]. In addition, at the 48th Plenary Session of the British Irish Parliamentary Association in 2014, the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny stated: “The Commonwealth has leverage to open new markets, both for Britain and Ireland in so many ways.”[4] Prior to this, in 2009 the Guyanese former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridath Ramphal, has called for Ireland to “Come Home” to the Commonwealth[5]. 

8. A new Ireland Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society was launched in Dublin on 17th April by 2015. Lord Rana MBE, Baron of Malone, Co. Antrim was named as Patron of the Branch. [6]. Following this, Irish Senator Frank Feighan of the governing Fine Gael party has stated to the Irish Senate: “…it would be a good time to have a debate on whether the Republic of Ireland should consider rejoining the Commonwealth”. Senator Feighan cited ongoing relations with the Commonwealth and Ireland, Irish diaspora across the Commonwealth and support for commonly held values[7]. Furthermore, Lord Howell  made the following remarks in the House of Lords earlier this month, during a debate on Brexit and the Belfast Agreement:

1. “My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the Republic of Ireland has shown some interest recently in associate membership of the Commonwealth? Do Her Majesty’s Government consider that this could be useful in resolving some of the border problems which are being discussed? If so, will the Government consider pressing the Commonwealth authorities to develop the relationship with the Republic of Ireland which is already blossoming quite strongly?[8]”

It is understood that other countries have also explored associate membership of the Commonwealth or some kind of observer status. This is one possible route for further ROI engagement in the Commonwealth which would need to be discussed by existing member states, if full membership is not palatable.

Current links between the Republic of Ireland and the Commonwealth

9. According to statistics from the Irish Central Statistics Office between January and June 2016 16.09% of Irish exports went to Commonwealth countries. The connections between ROI and Commonwealth are even stronger when it comes to imports as in the same period 28.65% of imports to ROI were from Commonwealth countries[9].

10. In terms of oversees aid, ROI gives considerable support to Commonwealth countries. Seven of Irish Aid’s nine Key Partner Countries are Commonwealth members (Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). Irish Aid also has projects in South Africa[10]. The UK and Canada also make substantial aid contributions to these countries.

11. According to a recent United Nations (UN) International Migration Report which studied 72 countries, some 771,572 people of Irish birth were found to be living in these nations. It is understood that approximately 70% of the Irish people captured in the study reside in countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. These countries include Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom[11][12].

12. International sports offer a potential opportunity for warming UK-ROI-Commonwealth relations. Irish success can be seen for example in Rugby, Soccer, Golf, Athletics, Cricket, Snooker, and Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) International Rules Football. Indeed, GAA sports are represented in clubs across the Commonwealth. Many sports in the ROI are organized on an all-island basis and thus incorporate NI, including Hockey, Rugby, Rowing, and Cricket. The 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games are due to be held in Belfast, which brings a further focus on sport and the Commonwealth on the island of Ireland.

Brexit

13. Whatever the nature of the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU), there is a unique relationship between the UK and ROI, which sets it apart from other EU states and warrants a special approach. This is particularly significant when considering the EU’s 4 freedoms (i.e. people, goods, capital & services).

14. There has been concern expressed by politicians of the impact of Brexit on the Island of Ireland and the possible establishment of a hard border with the UK.  Even if the UK does have a hard exit from the EU, there is a desire for special arrangements to be put in place between the ROI (i.e. as a continuing member of the EU) and the UK. This seeks to address not only with the physical frontier with NI, but also to continue to facilitate the ease of movement (i.e. people, goods, capital & services) between the ROI and the UK[13].

15. The Commonwealth network provides an additional layer of diplomatic relations and opportunities for collaboration, through which members can pursue common policy interests. Examples of these opportunities include Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, membership of professional bodies and Ministerial meetings including the upcoming Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting in spring 2017. Should ROI re-join the Commonwealth, increased linkages between ROI, the UK and other Commonwealth members have the potential to add further support to political and diplomatic processes focused on building a post-Brexit framework for UK-ROI relations.

Conclusion

16. The ROI’s membership of the Commonwealth of Nations is a matter to be decided by its government and considered by all 53 existing members. Membership of the Commonwealth has the potential to strengthen Ireland’s international role in the world alongside other members in this multilateral forum, without changing or influencing its national sovereignty. As a result, it has the potential to add a further layer of soft power ties to existing diplomatic, trade, diaspora, cultural, sporting, and civil society relationships between the ROI and numerous Commonwealth countries. If UK-ROI diplomatic ties were improved by mutual Commonwealth membership, this could bring obvious benefits for North-South relations and collaboration on other policy areas.

26th September 2016