Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD, Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy, and MLAs and Councillors from both sides of the border were in Dundalk on Friday for the local launch of Sinn Féin’s campaign for a border poll.
Sinn Féin Louth TD and Party President Gerry Adams said that the “disastrous impact of partition is nowhere more evident than along the border corridor”.
The Sinn Féin leader specifically addressed those ‘who are usually described as dissident’.
He said:‘I would urge all republicans and nationalists, whatever their opinion of the peace process, and irrespective of which political party or tendency they support, to seize this opportunity to advance republican and nationalist objectives.
I would especially ask those who are usually described as ‘dissident’ to recognize the potential that this initiative holds.
There is now a democratic and peaceful way to bring about Irish unity. There is no reason whatever for any group to engage in or promote or support violent actions.
The challenge for thinking republicans is to find ways to engage with and to listen to the concerns and ambitions of our unionist neighbors.
Read More: Shock as only 17 percent in Northern Ireland would vote for a United Ireland
As the anniversary of the Easter Rising approaches I want to appeal directly to groups which claim to follow in that tradition to reflect on their position.
Now is the time for them to show courage and in the spirit of the 1916 Proclamation to embrace a peaceful way forward.
This is a phase of political activity that is about persuasion; it’s about democratic conversations and winning support for Irish unity.
Violent actions will not assist this process. Violent actions will make the task of achieving a YES vote more difficult. So, consider the options. Examine the possibilities. And don’t miss this opportunity.
I believe Irish unity makes sense. I believe it makes political and economic sense and that it is in the best interests of the people of these islands.
The Good Friday Agreement provides a legislative, peaceful and democratic route to Irish unity. A Border Poll is the means.
So, let the people decide!’
The full text of Mr. Adams remarks:
“The Memorandum of Understanding between Newry and Mourne Council and Louth County Council, and the cross border support for the construction of a bridge at Narrow Water are just two examples of local communities grasping the challenging of breaking down the barriers created by partition.
Ending partition would be good for communities and business along the border.
Partition inhibits trade, investment, co-operation and creates a cycle of boom and bust for towns straddling the border.
There will be times when economic and political circumstances and differences between the euro and sterling will favour one side of the border over the other.
This is bad for business, bad for the communities that depend upon those small towns and bad for the economy of the island.
It also encourages criminality, particularly in respect of fuel smuggling which costs each state money in revenue as well as leaving behind a toxic sludge that is an environmental danger and threat to citizens and which costs huge amounts of money to clean up.
It’s time for partition to go.”
The Sinn Féin leader also urged those republicans who do not support Sinn Féin to “consider carefully the implications and possibilities presented by a border poll.
The Good Friday Agreement allows for the people of the island of Ireland to determine the future shape of this island, including the right to opt for a united Ireland.
It provides for a peaceful and democratic means by which the Irish republican and nationalist objective of Irish independence and freedom can be achieved.
This has been the core political objective since Wolfe Tone and the Society of United Irishmen.
It has been the goal of Irish people since England first involved itself in Irish affairs.
The Good Friday Agreement has created the means by which this can be achieved.
Sinn Féin has called for the British and Irish governments to set a date for a border poll and for that referendum to be held in the next term of the Assembly and Oireachtas.
Already this initiative has seen a significant increase in debate around the issue of possibility of Irish unity and the ending of the union.
Dialogue and conversation and persuasion is an important part of this process.
Sinn Féin wants to encourage the widest possible debate of all of the issues involved whether it’s the economy, political allegiance, the protection of traditions, the shape of the new Ireland and reconciliation.
These are just some of the matters which will need to be discussed in the time ahead.
I would urge all republicans and nationalists, whatever their opinion of the peace process, and irrespective of which political party or tendency they support, to seize this opportunity to advance republican and nationalist objectives.
I would especially ask those who are usually described as ‘dissident’ to recognise the potential that this initiative holds.
There is now a democratic and peaceful way to bring about Irish unity. There is no reason whatever for any group to engage in or promote or support violent actions.
The challenge for thinking republicans is to find ways to engage with and to listen to the concerns and ambitions of our unionist neighbours.
As the anniversary of the Easter Rising approaches I want to appeal directly to groups which claim to follow in that tradition to reflect on their position.
Now is the time for them to show courage and in the spirit of the 1916 Proclamation to embrace a peaceful way forward.
Sinn Féin wants a date for a border poll to be set and held within the lifetime of the next Assembly and Oireachtas. During this time we will be actively seeking to persuade unionists and non-unionists and all those who may at this time be opposed to Irish unity, or ambivalent on it, to join with us in making it happen.
That is a significant challenge but one I believe we are up to and can succeed in.
This is a phase of political activity that is about persuasion; it’s about democratic conversations and winning support for Irish unity.
Violent actions will not assist this process. Violent actions will make the task of achieving a YES vote more difficult. So, consider the options. Examine the possibilities. And don’t miss this opportunity.
I believe Irish unity makes sense. I believe it makes political and economic sense and that it is in the best interests of the people of these islands.
The Good Friday Agreement provides a legislative, peaceful anddemocratic route to Irish unity. A Border Poll is the means.
So, let the people decide!
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.curtisjohnson | Feb 11, 2013, 11:11 PM EST
So it’s legitimate to force the English, Welsh, Cornish etc. taxpayers to subsidize an artificially created supremacist statelet?
IrelandNorth | Feb 11, 2013, 02:07 PM EST
Scouse Tony! You begin by agreeing with Patrick Riordan that exiles or emigrants like yourself should have no say in contemporary Ireland, and conclude by doing exactly that. If some citizens can't stand the heat they can always get out of the kitchen. They're only an impediment to progress anyway. And it both sides have learned to get on so well NI, the logic is to extend it southwards.
timbobdennehy | Feb 11, 2013, 11:32 AM EST
_C_O_S_T_ enough said.
Scouse Tony | Feb 11, 2013, 03:32 AM EST
PatrickRiordan I agree, I was born in Belfast but haven’t lived there for fifty years and as I have no intention of moving back my opinion really does not and should not count, nor do those of people not born on either side of the border (who in the words of my Cousin who still lives there) want to bang on about the history of injustice from thousands of miles away because a Black and Tan kicked his great grand ma’s donkey and then call it heritage. Decisions belong to those who will have to live with them. Jerry Adams knows that while the stickies continue think they can shoot and bomb their way to a united Ireland it isn't going to happen any time soon.
irishfree1916 | Feb 11, 2013, 12:00 AM EST
This is a Stateman! Jerry O'Keefe Irish Born raised in California
pilib04 | Feb 10, 2013, 11:07 PM EST
Gerry Adams TD and President of Sinn Fein, continues to make reunification of Ireland first, of his priorities. Adams has worked tirelessly his entire life for national unity.
seanomelb | Feb 10, 2013, 06:27 PM EST
The trouble with Patrick Riordan is he fails to state that I was born in Ireland and lived and worked their. Not all Irish are quitters like Patrick Riordan. I was born in the so called Free State and never accepted a British label for the republic of Ireland. I know your type plastic paddy.
PatrickRiordan | Feb 10, 2013, 06:17 PM EST
The trouble with most posters Including Sean in Melbourne, is that they do not live in the Irish Republic, but abroad or in Norn Ireland and think they know what we want and how we would vote. I can't see any of them living in Ireland during a civil war except to make trouble. We are peaceful now and want to stay that way. Both sides in the North will have to learn to get on with each other before we can entertain them. The "Free State" ceased to exist in 1949 when it became the Irish Republic.
PatrickRiordan | Feb 10, 2013, 06:06 PM EST
The trouble with most posters Including Sean in Melbourne, is that they do not live in the Irish Republic, but abroad or in Norn Ireland and think they know what we want and how we would vote. I can't see any of them living in Ireland during a civil war except to make trouble. We are peaceful now and want to stay that way. Both sides in the North will have to learn to get on with each other before we can entertain them. The "Free State" ceased to exist in 1949 when it became the Irish Republic.
IrelandNorth | Feb 10, 2013, 02:38 PM EST
Padraig Ó Ríordán! The 50th Anniversary Ipsos/Marketing Research Bureau of Ireland (MRBI) Attitudes Survey, 2012 reported 64% (of a sample population of 1,000 citizens at 100 locations across 26 country area) believing in a united Ireland. More impressive still, 69% expressed a willingness to put their púnts (poonts) where their pius political platitudes are by paying extra taxes for such. Fascism flourishes when democrats do nothing.
darragh S | Feb 10, 2013, 06:00 AM EST
What a surprise. Here is a perfect example of life span development comparisons. While Adams, is mature now and doing relatively ok for himself I wonder if he actually can think about the situations that some of the people he is talking about are going through. This is just more media diatribe designed to bolster the no tolerance prison lobby mentality while it fails to recognize any of the problems. Recently we saw the extent of the problems on the other side with poor jobless dissidents rioting about their Flag not flying. Do you think IRA dissidents are in any better of a position. I even heard stories a few years back that these days IRA bomb builders have decided they are better off selling drugs and the real problems in the Republic of Ireland is that. Now its catching up in these times of economic uncertainty and the RIRA and PIRA now look to impoverished boys from the country side as young as 14 years old to join their ranks, the ones who cant even imagine getting out of Ireland and finding jobs elsewhere. Now with all their Gangster experience that they are building up they have started to turn into Warlords.
darragh S | Feb 10, 2013, 06:00 AM EST
Will they end up like Adams in the future? Well this all depends. Will they by pass the violence to get there. Not likely if they are being provoked by this kind of statement. Just imagine how it feels if you have a chip on your shoulder about an invader in your country if your being told to calm down and the problem will eventually solve itself. Easy to do if your a mature adult if its backed by substance. Clearly there is some substance behind that however its not going to be enough for a narrow minded war lord and foot soldiers whom would be offended by the whole idea of surrendering. What you should be doing Adams is stepping aside and making room for people with new ideas on economic development and people whom are going to address the underlying problems of the Militancy with programs for healthy living, education etc. I dont like your Chances in a Catholic Church Landlocked Republic of Ireland. Stingy narrow minded thiefs like them should get out of my country I say and take this Adams with you.
curtisjohnson | Feb 09, 2013, 11:33 PM EST
IrelandNorth - " As well as an Irish border poll preceding a plebicites on Scottish independence, how about English & Welsh ones on Britain's independence from NI? Do they who pay the piper not call the tune?" Excellent point - they are largely ignored - it shows that britain is in substance an oligarchy which really does not account for their opinion even though they have had to subsidize the supremacist statelet.
aloistmartin | Feb 09, 2013, 11:05 PM EST
Patrick Riordan@`s Belfast House of Curry :)
seanomelb | Feb 09, 2013, 06:08 PM EST
Adams always wanted a UI, maybe he erred by acccepting the terms of the GFA. His call for a border referendum is correct and only the browbeaten and those who lack vision would vote against a referendum for a united Ireland.
Joe Glackin | Feb 09, 2013, 04:54 PM EST
PatrickRiordan. All mhuintir na hEireann ar an phoblacht on the Island of Ireland are Citizens.Its what the words Irish Republic represent and a partition put up by a foreign foe does not change or differentiate the People of Ireland.In 1922 what did the people in Donegal know about Cork etc. To allow a system of brutal sectarian oppression against your fellow Irishmen, which your near ancestors endured is uncommon reveals your knowledge on 800 years of resistance.In 1916 there were few supporters as such. The excuses being Irish fighting France etc.Your point is valid as the Free State Govt suppressed most events in our 6 Counties. The Civil war left a bad stain on Ireland and the Govt acted so as not arouse feelings again. Ive met people from the Free State that thought there were no Irish Catholics in our 6 Counties.They thought all Republicans came from 3 free Counties of Ulster. Whether today or not a democratic vote would establish thee United Ireland remains unclear. In a sense the Free State is not owned by Ireland due to the catastrophic Celtic tiger set up. The Banks now own the Free State. See who owns the banks plus others that instruct Free state Govt on what budget to install.etcetc. Many are forced against voting through Patriotic romantic terms but by financial reason. When DUP are happy on these matters , then enough said.
seamus60 | Feb 09, 2013, 04:22 PM EST
Just some more of Gerrys jibberish in order to make it look like he an Irish Republican. The cheek of the shyster referring to anything in the Proclamation when he tells Irish Citizens to pass information to the British on those mentioned within the same document as having the right to bear arms. A document that can only be changed via a vote by all the people of Ireland.
PatrickRiordan | Feb 09, 2013, 03:37 PM EST
What about the citizens of the Irish Republic? Do they not have a say in it. Many would be against unity because of the threat of violence and civil war and the sheer cost of it. Also most of them don't have anything in common with Northern Ireland having developed separetly down through the years.
SeamusMartin | Feb 09, 2013, 03:36 PM EST
Blessed be the peacemakers!
aloistmartin | Feb 09, 2013, 02:37 PM EST
Never Surrender ! I. don’t care how far off the Red Light District these " Punks " are ! The Fact of the Matter is, these Militant Republicans are still expressing Discontent with the placator Bourgeois Status Quo, and therefore still carrying forward the Founding Idealism of the Revolution ! Connolly-ists Unite ! bizi Iraultza! Support the ( New ) I.R.A
aloistmartin | Feb 09, 2013, 02:25 PM EST
Got Cut Off by the Loading Adds :)
aloistmartin | Feb 09, 2013, 02:24 PM EST
Never Surrender ! I. dont care how far off the Red Light District these " Punks " are ! The Fact ofthe Matter is
IrelandNorth | Feb 09, 2013, 02:19 PM EST
British career politicians may believe in the currently constituted (largely nominal) United Kingdom (UK), and of Northern Ireland's (NIs) part thereof. But what do the ragged-trousered subventionists of the taxpaying British electorate more generally believe about subvening a geographically inorganic region to the tune of c£10.5bn p/a? Why the fear of participatory democracy by representative democrats? As well as an Irish border poll preceding a plebicites on Scottish independence, how about English & Welsh ones on Britain's independence from NI? Do they who pay the piper not call the tune?
Joe Glackin | Feb 09, 2013, 12:27 PM EST
Im in absolute agreement with Gerry Adams call, as wev seen where thirty years of bloodshed have brought us. For all who suffered through different aspects ,from deaths of Combatents Prisoners ,Civilians and others, plus their loved ones left behind ,wasnt worth todays gain.To use the Good Friday Agreement as providing a legislative, peaceful and democratic route to Irish unity does not apply today. This is what we voted"Yes" for.There is nothing legislative peaceful and democratic by the actions on illegal unjust imprisonment,internment , harassment of any who voice their concerns about certain issues not being implemented as per GFA. The people who opposed the GFA and publicly speak out does not constitute their internment ,false charges , wrongful convictions .Those who are held on false charges for 2/3 years and dropped a week before trial ,others convictions quashed, bringing in emergency bills to legalise internment by British terms of justice. Harassment on many seen to vocally,peaceful protest against Sinn Fein the GFA and other issues like contentious Loyalist/Orange Parades. Any who contest an election opposing SinnFein, being sentenced illegally against GFA assurances. The Govt endorsed censored Media and Sinn Feins inaction creates a bad situation thats easily used to encourage a hostile reaction. Worst of all its very easy to indoctrinate the young into groups that promote violence. Moreover the name dissident only applies to Sinn Fein as they are going against the Republican cause that was proclaimed in 1916. This does not endorse a return to futile hostilities nor support any that do. The dissidents are also SinnFein
PhlutiePhan | Feb 09, 2013, 12:06 PM EST
"Good cop, bad cop". Gerry starts a fire and then is the one to throw water on it and claim his links to St. Patrick. Actually, he is one the rats who bred after the snakes were driven out. He is a socialist out to destroy the culture of Ireland.