Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is calling on Irish Americans to use their influence to support the republican party's calls for a referendum on Irish unity.
According to Leftfootforward.com, Adams declared in a speech in New York last week that the issue has been given 'added impetus by the recent decision to hold a referendum in 2014 on Scottish independence.'
Adams then reminded the audience that the Good Friday Agreement grants the Northern Ireland secretary the power to hold such a referendum at any point.
'The Good Friday Agreement provides for a border poll on Irish unity. Sinn Fein in the new year will commence a campaign to achieve this. That means we need to build momentum and support so that the Irish and British governments are persuaded to hold a border poll.
'We will then have to campaign for a YES vote and to persuade the people of the island of Ireland to support unity and the creation of a new Republic.'
Adams then asked Irish Americans to support the party's efforts.
'Irish America needs to persuade political opinion in America that a United Ireland is in the best strategic interests of the USA.
'Irish America needs to get your new President and Secretary of State and the USA to use your enormous influence with the British to move them in that direction also.
'And we need Irish America to support the holding of a border poll.'
In June, polling in the Belfast Telegraph showed a substantial majority of people in the north rejecting Irish unity, with just 7% of respondents saying they would vote to remove the border between the north and south of Ireland immediately, while just a quarter would support removing it before 2032.
Overall, 55% came out against any change, with 13% stating they had no opinion on the subject.
Declaring Gerry Adams to be 'detached from reality,' the DUP’s Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds told the press:
'With Gerry Adams having turned himself into a figure of ridicule within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland it would seem he is intent on now taking this to the United States of America. In a country less than eight weeks away from a ‘fiscal cliff’ it highlights Adams’s complete detachment from reality that he believes the biggest issue in the minds of Americans must be a border poll and a united Ireland.
'Even if by some miracle Gerry Adams were able to persuade Americans that the future of Cork is of greater “strategic interest” to the USA than the future of Chicago or even China, the decision on a border poll would not actually be affected. A border poll can only be called by the Secretary of State when there is likely to be a vote in favour of changing our constitutional status. The DUP is not concerned about the likelihood of such a poll being held, nor are we worried about what the outcome would be.'
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.CelticJammer | Feb 06, 2013, 11:40 AM EST
I wonder if Italian-Americans ect ... get abused by their cousins this way. I've never heard these terms before.
CelticJammer | Feb 06, 2013, 11:40 AM EST
I wonder if Italian-Americans ect ... get abused by their cousins this way. I've never heard these terms before.
IrelandNorth | Nov 23, 2012, 07:22 AM EST
"Oirish" is an term used to describe an insufferable class of Irish anglophilic snobs (synthetic Sasanachs) in Dublin 4 and environs, from whose overprivileged socioeconomic group arose the banksters who broke the state. "Plastic Paddy" was a term coined to describe first generation working-class Irish-English born to Irish emigrant parents in 1950s England - by themselves! (Blame Shane McGowan of The Pogues). It is NOT translate to America! Real Plastic Paddies/Pádraigíní Plaisteach (or Karaoke Kiara's!) are those Oirish-Irish from [o]Ireland who can't/don't/or won't speak their own language in their own country.
Curitiba | Nov 23, 2012, 02:31 AM EST
curtisjohnson:the side of Essex to which you refer certainly does exist, but that's not the whole story. ;)
curtisjohnson | Nov 22, 2012, 10:21 PM EST
My apologies - the steretyping of Essex is probably unwarranted as you state.
Curitiba | Nov 22, 2012, 04:33 PM EST
Mind you curtis, it's not all fish and chips on the beach at Southend-on-sea and country drives round Colchester (the former Roman capital of Britain). For a good old yarn about the darker side of Essex, watch the film "Essex Boys", which is on YouTube now.
Curitiba | Nov 22, 2012, 04:15 PM EST
curtisjohnson: nothing wrong with Essex, curtis. Lots of ethnic Irish have moved out there from London to take advantage of the cheaper housing and the good rail links to London. There's some quite nice towns out there, nice countryside and some fine beaches in the summer such as Clacton and Walton on the Naze. I expect it's a bit like Irish Americans who have moved away from the Bronx where their ancestors first settled to, well, New Jersey. Essex is probably the wealthiest rural county in England.
curtisjohnson | Nov 22, 2012, 12:55 PM EST
Ireland should withdraw from the influence of anglo materialism and trans-nationalism - this would mean dismantling the Dublin establishment (the media in particular).
seamus60 | Nov 22, 2012, 06:24 AM EST
Now theres an idea, make Ireland the fifty firststate. lol
curtisjohnson | Nov 21, 2012, 11:30 PM EST
Criticize them all you want, but without Irish Americans there is no independent Ireland (even assuming otherwise, the indigenous population would have been ethnically cleansed from the occupied six at this point). ciaradexy posts convey a level of depth and sophistication typcial of an American teenager from New Jersey or a limey chav from Essex.
curtisjohnson | Nov 21, 2012, 10:13 PM EST
Ciara stay in Ireland you miserable jo.
seanomelb | Nov 21, 2012, 06:04 PM EST
I agree with anckaver the use of "Oirish" is as demeaning as using the 'N' word and just as racist. I suppose Ciara you not posting for three weeks allowed us to a point of view how magnanimous of you. BTW who needs your imprimatur to post on any site.
seamus60 | Nov 21, 2012, 05:30 PM EST
Personally I`ve no problem with anyones culture until they impose it on me against my will. But we should also remember that Irish decendants are not always in reciept of the truth in real time.
ancavker | Nov 21, 2012, 03:31 PM EST
seamus 60: Yes it is, and so many Irish use it. Yet they see no irony in so many of them being enthralled with English and American popular culture.
seamus60 | Nov 21, 2012, 02:19 PM EST
Plastic paddies is such a degrading discription.
ancavker | Nov 21, 2012, 12:46 PM EST
esat: How about you get current. The Catholic Church's special postition was removed from the Irish constitution back in the 1970's.
ancavker | Nov 21, 2012, 12:44 PM EST
ciara: on there. As far as Aussies and Irish, well I can say I have met many who are quite proud of their Irish roots and have no problem being Aussies and Irish. Also you use of the term Orish is offensive. For some one who claims to be so open minded, your constant criticism of Irish-Americans is tiresome. Quite frankly there are many Irish in Ireland who have no problem with Irish-Americans, and understand there is a tremendous amount of goodwill in America towars Ireland. It is narrow minded people like you who try and thwart that. So call us Orish-Americans, and Plastic Paddies, but we do not care. I do find it itonic though that you and other Irish call those in Britain of Irish descent Plastic Paddies, and yet so many of you identify with English popular culture, including ENglish football teams. Maybe it is you guys who should be called Platic Limeys.Finally you really should not criticize something you do not understand, you did not grow up as the child of Irish immigrants in either the U.S. or Britian, and yet you criticize us. It is an Irish-AMerican or Plastic Paddy thing, you would not understandm
ancavker | Nov 21, 2012, 12:36 PM EST
Ciara: The article says Gerry Adams calls on Irish-Americans to support a border poll. It does not say anything about Irish-Americans calling for a border poll. Most Irish- Americans are quite happy there is peace, and understand that there can only be a united Ireland if all agree. Quite frankly the Irish people in the north should probably want nothing to do with the failed bankrupt Republic, not to mention most Irish in the south with the exception of the border counties did nothing and cared little about what was going
ciaradexy | Nov 21, 2012, 12:03 PM EST
Seamus60, from Ireland and In Ireland would be great. Oirish American or Oirish '______________, not so much.
ciaradexy | Nov 21, 2012, 12:02 PM EST
Seanomelb, I have! Which is why I havent posted in ages. Living my life here in Ireland, without reading any of these small minded comments from Americans. Just back from a 3 week trip to the US and I met so many fantastic open minded Americans. Its only when you come onto this site that you see the vile sort. The type who thinks they actually have a clue! None of your Oirish American sort who really need to focus on their own country instead of mine. Never met any Aussies when I lived there who claimed to be 'Oirish' or who claimed that they should have a stake in this country. Why is it so much of an American thing? Well, I know why. I asked my American cousins who said most Americans like to feel they arent the same as all the other Americans. They feel they have to be '__________ American'. Its really sad.
seamus60 | Nov 21, 2012, 09:48 AM EST
Anglo. what ever amount of the roost the Catholic church have been ruling (and they have) is done for. The people are now in a better position to make moral decisions for themselves and speak out without fear of retribution.
seamus60 | Nov 21, 2012, 09:42 AM EST
Adams and Kenny locked horns today. During the exchange Adams accused political partys of shying away from the proclamation. He should read it again before condemning anyone who still holds to its principles. There are Irish Republicans in British prisons today. Possably because he and others in his party have told Nationalists to pass information to the brits.
anglo-norman | Nov 20, 2012, 11:24 PM EST
As long as the Vatican rules the roost in Ireland there will never be a United Ireland. The latest stupid & sadly tragic death of that poor young woman only reinforces the Irish Protestants to reject Rome Rule & lets face it since the Free State was formed it was ruled by Rome.
seanomelb | Nov 20, 2012, 08:46 PM EST
Can ciaradexy please allow everyone to have a point of view
seamus60 | Nov 19, 2012, 06:51 PM EST
USUlsterscot. I am inclined to agree with part of your post. The part that deals with hard earned bucks all the way from the USA. Hard earned by the already cash strapped Irish who will fall for the Adamsite charm of making them believe their cash will free Ireland.He`s only been doing it for 40 years. He doesn`t care anymore about the dismal outcome for Republicanism should any such pole be taken at this worst possable time. We don`t need a pole for the people of the 26 to tell us they can`t afford us even if they wanted to at this time. But the Brits would make good use of it for many years to come, including when the 26 can possably afford and want us. Lets not forget either the power of veto at their disposal. Gerry looking to make another few million for his pension fund is all this is. But that being the case we can look forward to seeing the back of him soon. He`ll have plenty of time to visit Liam then.
seamus60 | Nov 19, 2012, 06:35 PM EST
Ciaradexy. From Ireland or in Ireland ? lol
ciaradexy | Nov 19, 2012, 12:03 PM EST
Can Americans please leave the future of Ireland up to those of us from Ireland!
esatdigiwank | Nov 19, 2012, 07:52 AM EST
How about removing the RC c h u r c h from the Irish c o n s t i t u t i o n as a first step? Otherwise , is this not a case of putting the cart before the horse?
USUlsterscot | Nov 19, 2012, 06:47 AM EST
This referendum should only involve the views of people living here in Ireland, then it will be both informed and realistic. As with fundraising (if you discount money laundering and protection), Adams cannot successfully tip any referendum unless it involves the vote of a huge number of very idealistic, unrealistic, ill-informed people who don't live here and turn Ireland's issues into a one-sided cartoon play thanks to the expert international propaganda arm of his party who depend on misinformed ignorance to garner support. This, of course, is why he asks Americans.
IrelandNorth | Nov 19, 2012, 06:15 AM EST
Neither the Government of Ireland Act or Anglo-Irish Treaty, (1920 or Act of Union, 1800) were decided by referendum. Why should one be held to undo them? Better to proceed with progressive socioeconomic convengence leading to political dove-tailing, with European Union (EU) and United States of America (USA) persuasion. Since we are all macro (ie European (or blue)) unionists now, the respective political authorities on the British and/or Irish Isles are not exactly uninfluenced by federal government on the mainland. A provincially federated Ireland, in some sort of confederal arrangement with a federated Britain, in a strategic alliance within the EU, and partnership of equals in the Commonwealth of Nations (CoN) is the surest road ahead to peacefully undoing the constitutional sleights-of-hand of the past. Systematic deconstructon of partition, brick by brick, will best be achieved within this decade of centenaries, reuniting the province of Ulster before rejoining it with the other three.
YoungPike | Nov 19, 2012, 06:00 AM EST
They should have done this 40-plus years ago instead of slaughtering thousands of innocent men, women and children!
aloistmartin | Nov 18, 2012, 06:51 PM EST
Solidarity !
seamus60 | Nov 18, 2012, 06:25 PM EST
Seano. How ye reckon its flawed ?
Towngate | Nov 18, 2012, 06:04 PM EST
Nigel Dodds is 'spot on' about this "Yesterday Man!" > Robber Baron GaGa of Busted Flush!
seanomelb | Nov 18, 2012, 04:53 PM EST
Damned if he does and damned if he doen't.You hold a seriosly flawed position on the republic Seamus.
Murph46 | Nov 18, 2012, 04:03 PM EST
Good enough for Scotland!Have the referendum and settle it once and for all.
seamus60 | Nov 18, 2012, 11:58 AM EST
Adams has either lost the plot completely or he has nothing else to offer. Breaks my heart to do it but when Adams makes such an ass of himself I am left with no alternative but to agree with unionists. Thanks a lot Gerry.
irishfree1916 | Nov 18, 2012, 11:50 AM EST
"Nigel"?? Get real!