by Keith Richmond
TEN years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, and at a critical time for the peace process in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein is putting a united Ireland firmly back at the heart of the political debate.
Raymond McCartney, a Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, former officer commanding IRA prisoners in the H-Blocks and a leading architect of the party’s peace strategy, told a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference: “We are closer to achieving a united Ireland than at any time in the past. There is growing support for Irish unity on the island of Ireland – the partition of our country must and will end. We ask people to join with us in this historic endeavour – and we know we need to win a significant section of the unionist community to achieve this.”
The call comes as the deadlock at Stormont continues with the power-sharing executive unable to meet because of wrangling between the DUP and Sinn Fein which began when Peter Robinson replaced Ian Paisley as First Minister. Sean Oliver, Sinn Fein co-ordinator for England, Scotland and Wales, said: “The situation in Ireland is critical. We are what we are – we are Irish Republicans – and we want to reunite our country.”
Mr McCartney said Sinn Fein had “successfully delivered” on the Agreement while the DUP were “in default” and the government had a key role to play in “ensuring delivery”. He added: “We are committed to the peace process.”
About The Author
Who wants the North? For what? So we can be the one footing their massive social benefits? Forget about it lads, it’s ancient history.