Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has said there should be zero tolerance for online abuse against election candidates.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“Those in public life are often targeted with online abuse, threats, harassment and intimidation and it is often women who are targeted most but no matter how often it occurs it should never be tolerated.
“My colleague Elisha McCallion has been the victim of such online abuse, particularly in recent days, and much of it has been vile, disgusting, misogynistic abuse.
“No one, including public representatives, should be expected to put up with this.
“Elisha has children who should not be exposed to abuse like this so publicly directed at their mother.
“No one should have to face this type of abuse and I would call on all those in public life, from across all parties to come together and to condemn it so those responsible are sent a clear message that it will not be tolerated.”
Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that today's announcement of additional Garda resources for Cork is welcome but is nowhere near what's needed.
This comes following a sustained campaign by Sinn Féin for a fair allocation of Gardaí for Cork amid growing concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire was commenting after attending a meeting of the Cork Joint Policing Committee and raising the issue of Garda resources with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
He said:
"I have raised the issue of Garda resources in Cork with Commissioner Drew Harris on a number of occasions and have made the point that Cork is not getting a fair share of Gardaí. I raised this issue with him again today.
"Cork city has only got 2.5% of the Gardaí who have come out of Templemore since it was reopened in 2014 - an appalling figure and far below what we need.
"While I do welcome the announcement today that Cork will be allocated 24 additional Gardaí for the Christmas period, as well as 8 additional probationary Gardaí on a permanent basis, it isn’t anywhere near enough, but I know it will provide some level of reassurance to the people of Cork in the coming weeks amid growing concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.
"Sinn Féin has led the way calling for additional Garda resources in Cork and today's announcement vindicates our campaign. This it is a step in the right direction, but we need to go much further now.
"What's needed it to ensure that as many of these additional Gardaí remain in Cork beyond January and that Cork is assured of a strong Garda presence in the coming years.
"We are making progress, but we need to keep the pressure on for more and I intend to keep the campaign up. The people of Cork deserve no less."
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has written to the Minister for Justice following media reports which suggest that additional Direct Provision Centres are being considered for up to 8 regions across the State, including County Louth, to accommodate up to five and a half thousand asylum seekers in the coming years.
Teachta Adams said:
“Reports suggest that the Department of Justice is seeking providers to operate new direct provision centres across the State to house almost 5,500 asylum seekers in the coming years.
"I have written to the Minister for Justice to seek additional information about the possible locations of these centres and whether any are planned for Louth.
"Sinn Féin has long expressed our concerns at the direct provision system. It is not fit for purpose and should be replaced with a more humane, human rights compliant system. I have visited Mosney Direct Provision Centre several times and met with asylum seekers from that and other centres. A succession of reports have been critical of the system, including one two years ago which spoke to children held in these centres.
"The main conclusion emerging from that report was that children and young people living in direct provision are dissatisfied with the system. The report described how children and young people said that their 'personal well-being, family life, private life and social life is adversely affected by long stays in the Direct Provision centres.' They described their accommodation as 'overcrowded' and 'dirty' and the Direct Provision system as 'not fair', and 'not safe.'
"Asylum seekers have also told me of the practical difficulties of living in a Direct Provision Centre, often isolated in a remote area with no public transport, trying to survive on a miserly stipend from the government and whole families living together in one room.
"If the government insists on not scrapping the system then at the very least Direct Provision requires a fundamental overhaul, with more resources for asylum seekers and local communities. There needs to be fulsome community engagement, additional infrastructure supports and additional personal supports for those citizens seeking asylum.
"Difficulties in the Direct Provision system are compounded by the current housing emergency and this must also be addressed by the Government.
“Asylum seekers come to us from all across the world. They come from war torn societies or States where their lives are at risk. They come in search of a new life in the same way that Irish people have travelled over the centuries throughout the world. They arrived in this State only to be treated in a most deplorable way. That needs to end.”
Paul Maskey has said the Electoral Office must urgently address concerns regarding changes to where some West Belfast voters will be casting their votes on 12th December.
Paul Maskey said:
“The Electoral Office have made a number of changes to polling stations which are detrimental to voters but they have not communicated these changes adequately to the voters.
“Clonard Youth Club was previously used as a polling station and due to a refurbishment at the time of the local government election, voters went to St Clare’s Primary School. The refurbishments have now finished but voters will continue to vote in St Clare’s on 12th December.
“This makes St Clare’s a ‘four box’ polling station which can become congested and some residents will now actually have to travel further.
“Residents from Hannahstown and the Upper Springfield Road used St Joseph’s Parish Centre in May but are now being referred to St Oliver Plunkett Primary School.
“St Joseph’s had the highest turnout in West Belfast but voters are now having to move.
“We have raised these issues with the Electoral Office but at this stage we can’t see any changes being implemented.
“The Electoral Office have failed in their obligation to simplify this election for those affected. It is a lot harder to get registered to vote here than it is anywhere else on these islands, which is disgraceful.”
Sinn Féin justice spokesperson Martin Kenny TD has called for urgent action by the Garda Siochána in the Coolock area of Dublin, following the death of shooting victim, 22-year-old Eoin Boylan.
Deputy Kenny said:
“This is another violent death in what seems to be a feud between drug criminals, in a working class area of Dublin which has seen enough violence. Eoin Boylan is the fifth victim of this latest feud and like others who have been shot dead, he was only in his 20's.
“The local community has called for a Garda task force to be deployed to deal with this rampant violence and I call on the minister and the Garda Commissioner to listen.
“It is not good enough that Minister Charlie Flanagan says he is 'deeply concerned'. He is the Minister for Justice and we demand more than 'concern' from him. We need action.
“The people of Coolock, like the people of the North East Inner-City of Dublin, the people of Louth and all over the State must be protected. This is the basic function of the police service and it is not being fulfilled.
“While we realise that policing is not the only solution to the root causes of the crime and drug use that is causing this mayhem, it is where we look for protection.
“The cutbacks by successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments in basic community services, youth facilities, projects and early intervention, plus lack of political will or funding to proper youth diversion programmes, community policing and juvenile liaison is one of the causes of the scourge of drug abuse and drug dealing in this and other working class communities.
“This funding and these resource deficits must be addressed urgently. This action will be a crucial step in stopping the violence on our streets.”
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Bay North Denise Mitchell has called on the Government to honour their commitments and increase Garda resources in Dublin Bay North in the wake of another fatal shooting in the area.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson for Dublin said:
“Last May, Government representatives were all too happy to stand in the constituency and talk about the increased Garda resources that they were going to divert to the area.
“Here we are six months later in the aftermath of yet another shooting in the area and the local Gardaí are just as overstretched as they were. We need to see extra resources deployed to the Coolock area.
“The people I represent deserve to feel safe and not in expectation of another gun attack. The Government must honour their commitments and increase Garda presence in the area. We need more Gardaí on our streets.
“I am calling on the Minister for Justice to establish a special taskforce as we saw in the North Inner City to provide the multi-agency response needed to stem this feud on our streets.”
Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard has said sectarian abuse directed at his canvass team will not deter his campaign.
The South Down candidate said:
“While out canvassing in Rathfrailand at the weekend, one of my canvass teams was subjected to sectarian abuse.
“This stands in contrast to the positive response we have been getting on the doors as people realise the disaster Brexit will be and look towards a new future.
“This incident has been reported to the PSNI and will not deter me or any of my campaign team from engaging with and representing people across South Down.”
Responding to comments from the DUP Leader today, Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said she remains committed to working towards a new Assembly and a new kind of politics in the New Year.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“Sinn Féin remains fully invested and committed to the Good Friday Agreement.
“The Agreement also requires, an Assembly, that works for everyone from all traditions and communities.
“The current political impasse is unsustainable and unacceptable.
“Three years after the RHI scandal brought the assembly down, people deserve a functioning government and genuine power-sharing.
“An agreement was reached in February last year, however, the DUP regrettably walked off the pitch.
“That position is untenable.
“The delivery of rights cannot be avoided.
“Sinn Féin stands ready to form a credible, sustainable and inclusive executive.
“The Sinn Féin leadership met British Secretary of State Julian Smith last week to set out our position. We will meet Tánaiste Simon Coveney this week to do the same.
“If the Executive is to be credible, then it must deliver on issues such as public sector pay, safe staffing levels in the health service, economic policies that delivers prosperity for all and that invests in rural communities, and a mitigation package that protects people from Tory welfare reform.”
Michelle O’Neill added: “To be credible allthe outstanding issues must be dealt with including an Irish Language Act and reform of the Petition of Concern and we need to tackle the failure by the British government to implement the Stormont House Agreement and deal with the issue of legacy.”
Sinn Féin Councillor JJ Magee has condemned a shooting in the New Lodge area of Belfast.
JJ Magee said:
“Shots were fired through the window of a house in the New Lodge on Saturday evening.
“Luckily no one was hurt in this reckless attack, but it could have been much worse.
“There is no place for guns on our streets.
“Anyone with information on this attack should bring it forward to the Police.”
Sinn Féin Seanadóir, Niall Ó Donnghaile, has today called a decision by a British Upper Tribunal, that the Good Friday Agreement is not a constitutional document, as 'extraordinary and concerning'.
Seanadóir Ó Donnghaille said:
"Over time the DeSouza case has revealed extraordinary and concerning tendencies of the British judiciary to roll back the status of Irish citizenship in the north, and that of the Good Friday Agreement which underpins it.
"The latest claim by a British Upper Tribunal on the status of the Good Friday Agreement is yet another unacceptable denigration of the agreement and the basic rights of Irish citizens in the north.
"The Good Friday Agreement is an internationally recognised and legally binding treaty, overwhelmingly endorsed by people across the island of Ireland, and guaranteed in law by both the Irish and British governments.
"I urge Tánaiste Simon Coveney to step up his efforts on this issue, and make immediate contact with the British government for clarity on this matter.
"Sinn Féin stand unequivocally behind the DeSouzas in their efforts to assert and protect their right to Irish citizenship in law."
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD wrote to the Governor of Central Bank on Wednesday 20th November requesting an investigation into the practice of dual pricing in the mortgage market, and has called on the practice to be banned.
This comes after Deputy Doherty drew attention to the practice in the insurance market, with the Central Bank since agreeing to investigate the practice and its impact on loyal and vulnerable consumers.
Speaking today, the Donegal TD said:
“On Wednesday 20th November I wrote to the Governor of the Central Bank requesting an investigation into price discrimination in the mortgage market.
“This comes after I drew attention to the practice in the insurance market, requesting that the Central Bank investigate the practice after meeting the Governor and submitting a 130-page complaint on the practice. I welcome the fact that the Central Bank have since agreed to my request.
“The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank recently acknowledged that Irish banks have recognised they can be profitable while charging new customers mortgage interest rates of between 2 and 3 percent, but persist in charging existing customers in the region of 4.5 percent.
“This is dual pricing in action, or as I have called it, price discrimination.
“It should be noted that interest rates in the Irish mortgage market are twice the EU average.
“Dual pricing is unacceptable in insurance, or any other market.
“Over 21,000 mortgage-holders aged over 60 still owe more than €150,000 in mortgage debt, with as much as 15,000 mortgage-holders over the age of 50 on interest-only mortgages.
“Current debt levels for those approaching retirement are unsustainable, and this practice makes it worse.
“In my letter, I asked the bank what action it will take to tackle this discriminatory practice, and requested an investigation into its impact and compatibility with the Consumer Protection Code.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has sought an urgent meeting with the Minister of State for Disability Issues, the HSE and the Irish Wheelchair Association to discuss the impending closure of the Cuisle respite resort.
Speaking ahead of today’s rally in Roscommon town against the closure of Cuisle the teachta McDonald said:
“Cuisle provides an invaluable service to people with a disability and their families from across Ireland. I’ve been contacted by so many people who are heartbroken at the thought of losing the resort.
“Last week service users, workers from Cuisle and families affected by the closure of Cuisle outside protested the Dáil calling on the HSE and IWA to keep the centre open.
“It’s important to acknowledge the wider use of the resort by a number of organisations including Ataxia Foundation Ireland, CanTeen Ireland, Enable Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation and Headway Ireland as well as local GAA clubs, Rugby club and other local organisations.
“In addition to the loss of services there are 48 workers at Cuisle who could lose their jobs if the resort closes.
“Responses from the HSE and the Minister of State for Disability Issues to my concerns have been deeply unsatisfactory. Neither have recognised the unique and valued services Cuisle provides to people with a disability. Critically they have not listened to those with a disability who rely on the resort.
“I have written to the HSE, the Minister of State and the Irish Wheelchair Association seeking an urgent meeting to set out in no uncertain terms service users and their family’s opposition to the closure.
“The proposed private hotel model of respite that is to replace Cuisle is not appropriate for service users’ needs and ignores the highly positive outcomes from the services provided at the resort.
“Cuisle is not a typical congregated setting for people with a disability as claimed by the Minister.
“Government has not provided the capital investment needed to maintain services at Cuisle for the long term and instead is pursuing a private operator model for what is an essential and much-loved public service.”
ENDS/CRÍOCH
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said that the Government must ensure that Teachers and other Educational professionals, among countless low and middle income earners, must not be the subject of an effective Tax Hike, through the removal of flat-rate expenses.
Deputy Ó Laoghaire was speaking as concern grows among many teachers and other education professionals as to whether some of their classroom expenditure is deemed to be a professional expense.
The Cork South Central TD said:
"In the Budget 2018 Sinn Féin successfully put pressure on the Government to defer any abolition of the flat rate expenses scheme for tens of thousands of ordinary low and middle income earners.
"This decision deferred what would have effectively been a tax hike for workers such from Nurses, Brick Layers and Bus Drivers, and to Teachers and Educational Professionals.
"However, the Government did not rule out the idea altogether, putting it to a Revenue Commission review, which is due to report in the coming weeks.
"There is growing concern among teachers, principals, lecturers, Guidance Counsellors and others, at the effect that this will have on them. For example, full time teachers will be down €518 per annum.
"Most teachers pay for legitimate educational expenses such as stationary, art supplies, and so on out of their own pocket. The flat rate expenses regime is intended to reflect that fact. Getting rid of this would be an extraordinary statement of a lack of goodwill to teachers.
"It would also be a tax hike, and a substantial hit to their income. This at a time that the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil Government are talking about, and delivering, tax cuts and reliefs for the very highest earners.
"The Government has kicked this to touch in the past, instead of simply dumping the idea. Fianna Fáil may be talking about this now, however, they had ample warning from last year, when Sinn Féin & the Trade Unions led the charge on it, and it was entirely open to them to make this an issue during budget negotiations.
"We believe that implementing such a tax hike would be disrespectful to teachers who are plainly already paying for items from their own pocket, and would be an unwarranted hit to their incomes, as well to tens of thousands of workers in other sectors. Such as approach as this is not reflected in the treatment of higher earners.
"The Government need to drop this idea, and to prevent this tax hike for low and middle income earners."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport, Jonathan O’Brien TD has welcomed comments from Minister Shane Ross in which he says he sees serious merit in an all-island soccer league and his encouragement of both the FAI and the IFA to facilitate cross-border cooperation and competition.
Teachta O’Brien was reacting to a PQ response from Minister Ross on the creation of an all-island soccer league.
He said;
“Proposals for an all-island soccer league where brought forward earlier this year by a group led by Kieran Lucid.
“They are serious, well researched proposals which promised increased prize money for clubs along with increased television revenues.
“The proposals merit serious consideration by clubs across the island and, while the IFA has poured some cold water on the proposals, the group is determined to continue promoting the idea and to establish a new league as soon as possible.
“A new all-island league also has the potential to seriously improve the standard of Irish soccer at all levels while beginning the process of retaining on the island much of the millions of euros that are spent in Britain every year by Irish soccer fans.
“In that context I welcome comments from Minister Shane Ross in which he accepts the serious merit in these proposals and his encouragement of both football associations to facilitate cross-border opportunities and competition.”
ENDS
For Oral Answer on : 21/11/2019Question Number(s): 25 Question Reference(s): 48177/19Department: Transport, Tourism and SportAsked by: Jonathan O'Brien T.D.______________________________________________
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views on the creation of an all-island soccer league; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The organisation and delivery of sport in Ireland is mainly a matter for National Governing Bodies of Sport. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Football Association (IFA) are the respective Governing Bodies for soccer on the island. They are independent and autonomous bodies and any proposals regarding an all-island soccer league would be a matter for those two bodies.
The organisation of sport on an all-island basis has worked very successfully for a number of sports, most notably in the cases of rugby and hockey. I am very supportive of cross-border sporting initiatives and collaborations between sporting organisations. Such approaches have excellent potential to enhance relationships on both parts of the island of Ireland. In that regard, the Unite the Union Cup was a very welcome addition to the sporting calendar on the island of Ireland this year.
I am aware that proposals for an all-island league were presented in recent months and that, thus far, it has not been possible to progress such proposals. It is important to respect the autonomy and positions of the National Governing Bodies in this matter however personally, I believe there is serious merit in such proposals. I would encourage the bodies to continue to facilitate opportunities for cross-border cooperation and competition.
Sinn Fein Health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD has called on the Minister for Health and the government to consider a Compulsory Purchase Order of the land at St Vincent’s Hospital for the new National Maternity Hospital, to counter the attempts of the Vatican and the Catholic Church to influence and interfere with the project.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“It is over two years now since the Dáil passed a Sinn Féin motion calling for the new National Maternity Hospital to remain entirely within public ownership with legally guaranteed independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations.
“It is ridiculous that we now face the possibility that the building of the hospital or its operations could be influenced and interfered with by the Catholic Church.
“It is the position of the Dáil that the National Maternity Hospital be owned and operated by the State and will be shaped only by modern medical standards and principles and that needs to be upheld.
“Religious faith is important for many, many people across this State, and it is an important factor for them in our society. However, there is no space for religious influence from any quarter in our healthcare policy, especially women’s healthcare.
“If it is a case that the Vatican blocks the transfer of land at St Vincent's for the new National Maternity Hospital, or if there is attempted religious interference with the project, then the government must consider a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the land in order to proceed with the construction of the hospital.”
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams is in Newcastle this evening campaigning with Chris Hazzard.
Speaking tonight, Gerry Adams said:
“Brexit has created a new dynamic – a new context – in which there is the potential for significant political change across the North. It presents many challenges, but also opportunities. The historic constituency of South Down is at the heart of this. Chris Hazzard has been an exemplary MP. He has lead from the front. Against Brexit. For genuine power sharing and against the abuse of power.
In 2016 this constituency voted against Brexit by a margin of two to one. 67% voted to remain.
In recent years South Down has witnessed significant growth in the Sinn Féin vote. The 2017 Westminster result, and Chris Hazzard’s election, is evidence that nationalist and republican voters recognise that the political centre of gravity is now on the island of Ireland. The recent chaos and confusion at Westminster has confirmed the wisdom of this view.
Commenting on the issue of Irish Unity which is now centre stage Gerry Adams said:
“The Irish government has a duty and a constitutional obligation to make preparations for unity.
To examine the economic arguments.
The cultural and social dimensions.
The political dynamics.
To take account of the significant shifts in population and identity demographics in the North in recent decades.
To open this process up, and in consultation with, and through a process of inclusive dialogue, to persuade those – unionists, nationalists and others – who have reservations about unity - that Irish unity makes sense for them, for their families and for the future.
All of this needs to be planned for now.
That is the one big lesson of Brexit.
A referendum without a plan is stupid.
So a referendum on unity must be set in a thoughtful inclusive process which includes a programme of sustainable options.
A future power sharing government will have a central role in this.
That is if the power sharing government at Stormont can be restored – and this is very dependent on political unionism being prepared to embrace a new dispensation based on the rights foundation set out in the Good Friday Agreement.
The issue of a referendum on unity is now centre stage.
No other generation of Irish republicans has had this opportunity to end the union and partition.
The men and women of 1916 had no such mechanism.
Neither did Bobby Sands or Mairead Farrell and their contemporaries.
Despite resistance from both governments and the main unionist parties a referendum WILL be held.
Irish Unity is no longer an aspiration.
Irish Unity is a project – a winnable, doable project.
Finally, I appeal to working class unionists or loyalists who may read these remarks - to farmers, business people and civic unionists. The DUP say Theresa May and Boris Johnson betrayed them. Ask yourselves who is betraying who? Those unionists who voted against Brexit are being disrespected, ignored and betrayed. Not by Sinn Féin. You know where you stand with us. No it is the unionist political elites – MPs and others - on their fat salaries and big expenses who are letting you down.
They may huff and puff about Johnson and the English betrayers. But it’s all bluster. It is they who are betraying you. As they have for generations. As they do now with Brexit; as they do by voting against nurses pay increases, by divisive sectarian actions; by refusing to tackle poverty, disadvantage and divisions. By opposing basic and modest rights. Ask yourselves this my friends - who is fooling who?”
Writing in his most recent blog, Sinn Féin National Chairperson, Declan Kearney, has said:
“In the north, unionism has whipped up a toxic, sectarian electoral frenzy, and have used it to maximise sectarian polarisation.
“Candidates and their families, and, particularly, Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast and North Belfast candidate, John Finucane, are being disgracefully vilified and demonised.
“Those within political unionism and the various paramilitary crime gangs who are driving this poisonous agenda are trying to increase communal tensions, heighten fears and deepen sectarian segregation.
“We must not let them succeed.
“Those of us committed to a better society need to rise above their sectarianism and bigotry, and continue to promote inclusion, anti-sectarianism and, most importantly, a positive vision of hope.”
Referring to the newly adopted Sinn Féin policy on reconciliation and anti-sectarianism, the South Antrim MLA said:
“This is the third such policy position on reconciliation and anti-sectarianism to be brought before an Ard Fheis in recent years.
“Partition and sectarianism are the biggest barriers to achieving a new, inclusive, national constitutional democracy.
“For as long as we fail to successfully tackle sectarianism and division, then intolerance, bigotry and fear will continue.
“The potential for more instability and conflict will be ever present.
“As republicans in the tradition of the United Irishmen and women, of Connolly and Mellows, we must be driven by an absolute commitment to anti-sectarianism now and in the future.
“We demand a zero tolerance towards sectarianism, racism, antisemitism, homophobia, or misogyny in society.
“The need for a reconciliation process is beyond doubt. But its achievement cannot be taken for granted.
“We believe a new phase of our peace process, based upon reconciliation and healing is required more urgently than ever.
“Sinn Féin’s new policy is premised upon the position that healing the divisions in Irish society is inseparable from the growing momentum for Irish unity.
“The current discourse on constitutional change should also address the challenge of developing a reconciliation and healing process.
"This policy is a major contribution from Sinn Féin on how that can be done by presenting concrete proposals on tackling sectarianism; sectarian segregation; commemoration and remembrance; legacy; the role of political institutions and political leadership; public policy; and civic and community life.”
Last weekend, Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis (Annual Conference) took place in Derry City.
It convened two weeks out from four important by elections in the southern state, and in the middle of a Westminster general election across the north.
The chaos within British politics has brought that about.
Still no one knows, what is likely to happen next – will Boris Johnson get a majority and honour his deal with the EU27?
Everything is up in the air.
In the north, unionism has whipped up a toxic, sectarian electoral frenzy, and have used it to maximise sectarian polarisation.
Candidates and their families, and, particularly, Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast and North Belfast candidate, John Finucane, are being disgracefully vilified and demonised.
Those within political unionism and the various paramilitary crime gangs who are driving this poisonous agenda are trying to increase communal tensions, heighten fears and deepen sectarian segregation.
We must not let them succeed.
Those of us committed to a better society need to rise above their sectarianism and bigotry, and continue to promote inclusion, anti-sectarianism and, most importantly, a positive vision of hope.
This was the consistent tone used by speaker after speaker at the Ard Fheis as they discussed the prospect of Irish unity.
Each contributor expressed a positive vision of inclusivity and generosity.
Against that backdrop, it was even more important that delegates to the Ard Fheis adopted as national policy the new document ‘Inclusion and Reconciliation in a new Ireland’.
This is the third such policy position on reconciliation and anti-sectarianism to be brought before an Ard Fheis in recent years. I commended this latest substantive document to our party delegates and began by reminding them of the collapse of the Berlin Wall just over 30 years ago and how that gave way to the reunification of Germany shortly afterwards.
Next February we will mark another historic milestone in the 30th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison.
By 1994 national democracy was established in South Africa.
Few of us could have predicted such epoch making events 35 or 40 years ago.
But as Mandela said himself;
"It always seems impossible until it's done".
Those words have relevance for today's Ireland.
British state policy towards Ireland has for centuries adversely affected the development of democratic politics and social progress.
British government interference in Irish affairs is at the root of conflict and instability throughout our country's history.
It is an important fact to acknowledge that no reconciliation process was ever put in place after the 1922/’23 civil war, or the preceding Tan war.
Our most recent and devastating phase of conflict has yet to be reconciled or healed.
Britain's partition of Ireland is the central fault-line at the heart of Irish politics and society.
It has been a disaster for all our people.
Partition created two conservative states.
In the south a theocracy emerged and existed for decades.
The northern state institutionalised sectarianism in every fabric of society to maintain the dominance of a conservative unionist elite.
.jpg)
Sectarian discrimination in employment, sectarian segregation, inequality and division became the hallmarks of that state.
Today the sectarianism which defined the nature of the northern state after partition still exists.
However, the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) drew a line under political conflict, and also set forth a vision of a rights based, non-sectarian future.
And, in spite of unchanged opposition from within political unionism, and a failure by both the British and Irish governments to fulfil their obligations as co-guarantors to implement the Agreement, it still represents a transformational road map.
Today the political landscape is changing rapidly across this island.
Brexit has changed everything.
The Brexit hurricane has swept away all the established constitutional, political and economic assumptions about the status quo.
Brexit, demographic changes, the demise of the unionist electoral majority, and refusal of political unionism to support proper power sharing and a rights-based society, have changed the context of the north.
Partition is rapidly running out of road.
Brexit has brought the prospect of Irish unity into stark focus.
As a result, a debate on constitutional change is now centre stage.
Significant figures within political and civic unionism are reflecting publicly on Irish reunification.
Hugely significant academic studies and economic modelling have been published on Irish unity.
New voices within Irish civic society are becoming involved in the discussion.
The reality is, Britain's partition of Ireland is now a European issue.
A watershed has opened up in the politics of Ireland, and in political relations between Ireland, Britain and Europe.
This potential for constitutional and political realignment gives us a once in a lifetime opportunity to collectively shape a new society which is influenced by every citizen.
The GFA makes provision for a unity referendum to enable constitutional change and bring about Irish unity.
Irish reunification is a reasonable and achievable democratic outcome, but it needs to be strategically planned.
The failure to ensure that Britain's Brexit referendum campaign was properly informed, and then the failure to plan for its aftermath, should serve as a lesson on how not to prepare for constitutional change in Ireland.
The consequence for Britain has been constitutional chaos in its political system and massive polarisation in society.
Creating the positive conditions in which a unity referendum is held will be as important as the result.
The process which guided the Scottish government's approach to its independence referendum offers a template for the type of informed national dialogue which is required in Ireland.
That means addressing sectarianism in all its forms; promoting reconciliation; and dealing with the legacy of the past.
It means a process of discussion including the broadest cross section of political and civic stakeholders, and citizens.
I believe we should be discussing how to guarantee economic justice in a new Ireland; how to fund universal health care; let's ensure a progressive labour agenda is put at the heart of constitutional change; and, let's engage on how to harmonise a rights-based framework within a new constitutional democracy.
A national citizens' assembly convened by the Irish government, as over 1,000 Irish citizens recently called for in a public appeal to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, should set the context for eventual negotiations about our collective future on the island, and the thoughtful compromises which need to be explored and agreed with our unionist neighbours.
The British state has never cared about the welfare of citizens in the north of Ireland.
It does not even care about those citizens who to date have given allegiance to the union and the British state.
Unionists living in Ireland will always have more influence in any negotiation with Irish republicans about the future of this space we share, than with any English politicians.
Sinn Féin has prepared detailed thinking for a unity referendum as a next step in the transition to unity.
We do not own, or claim to own the process of constitutional change.
But we do have a clear vision, of a new and agreed Ireland which guarantees the rights of all citizens; and which affirms, values, and respects diversity and difference.
Partition and sectarianism are the biggest barriers to achieving a new, inclusive, national constitutional democracy.
For as long as we fail to successfully tackle sectarianism and division, then intolerance, bigotry and fear will continue.
The potential for more instability and conflict will be ever present.
As republicans in the tradition of the United Irishmen and women, of Connolly and Mellows, we must be driven by an absolute commitment to anti-sectarianism now and in the future.
We demand a zero tolerance towards sectarianism, racism, antisemitism, homophobia, or misogyny in society.
The outworking of Brexit has sharpened existing deep divisions in the north and the DUP and Tory approach to this election will exasperate these.
The complex social and political fault-lines in our society have to be addressed.
The need for a reconciliation process is beyond doubt. But its achievement cannot be taken for granted.
We believe a new phase of our peace process, based upon reconciliation and healing is required more urgently than ever.
This will demand an entirely new strategic focus to address the reality of sectarianism and sectarian segregation.
Sinn Féin’s new policy is premised upon the position that healing the divisions in Irish society is inseparable from the growing momentum for Irish unity.
So the current discourse on constitutional change should also address the challenge of developing a reconciliation and healing process.
This policy is a major contribution from Sinn Féin on how that can be done by presenting concrete proposals on tackling sectarianism; sectarian segregation; commemoration and remembrance; legacy; the role of political institutions and political leadership; public policy; and civic and community life.
The reality is that, the past cannot be changed or undone, nor can the suffering or pain experienced in our society be disowned - by any side.
It is essential that all participants in the conflict, including British state forces, make a positive contribution to acknowledgement, reconciliation and healing.
There are victims and survivors on all sides.
There must be no hierarchy of victimhood when it comes to acknowledging the loss experienced by so many families.
For our part, Sinn Féin acknowledges the grief associated with all lives lost, and on every side.
Everyone deserves acknowledgement as a first step towards the healing process.
And while our party's preferred option for dealing with the past remains an Independent International Truth Commission, we fully support the implementation of all Stormont House Agreement legacy mechanisms.
But for those mechanisms to be implemented the British state and political unionism need to stop weaponising the past.
Some powerful sections of the British military establishment and security services are still politically and psychologically at war with the Sinn Féin leadership.
They are continuing to fight out old battles which remain locked in their own heads.
These elements of the British state should finally embrace the peace process, and stop denying their responsibility to deal with the past.
There should be an initiative of common acknowledgement by all sides, as one way to introduce a powerful new dynamic into the peace process.
During the Ard Fheis, our party restated our view that a national reconciliation strategy should be developed and implemented under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council.
A new national conversation has grown organically about the character of that change.
Sinn Féin believes that reconciliation and healing should be central to that discussion and institutionalised within the political and civic structures of any new constitutional settlement.
However, that also places an immediate strategic imperative on the Irish government to facilitate and structure this discussion.
These are momentous times in Irish society.
Change is in the air.
The constant theme running through last weekend’s Ard Fheis was that our generation has an unprecedented opportunity to build a future which matches the vision of the Proclamation.
Irish unity is the defining issue of our generation, the reconciliation of our people must become its lasting legacy.
Challenging as it may be, none of this is impossible.
It’s time for Irish unity - Let's seize the moment - Tapaidh an deis.
