The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland "will become partners in a common political enterprise" in the future according to Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell
He added that a more "diverse, heterogeneous sense of Irish-ness will replace the narrow official self-image of monchrome Catholic nationalist Ireland which characterised the Republic in the 20th century".
Mr McDowell was speaking at the Patrick MacGill Summer School in Co Donegal today.
Several politicians, academics and church leaders have addressed the week-long lecture series which celebrates the life of Donegal writer Patrick MacGill, who died in 1963.
"I believe that a society that simultaneously values both religious conviction and philisophical freedom is not only possible but attractive," he said.
"In concrete terms I see Ireland rapidly becoming a successful, self-confident, member of a partnership based EU," the Minister added.
Mr McDowell also referred to the "suffocating dishonesty and self-loathing of much of what passes for contemporary social commentary in Ireland."