Irish unity will be better for all the people of Ireland, says Michelle Gildernew MP

SINN FÉIN is calling for an island-wide referendum on Irish unity in the next term of the Assembly and the Dáil, Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew told the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Derry on Saturday morning.

The former Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development said:

“The demand for an end of partition and the reunification of Ireland is a demand for national democracy. It is the way forward to political progress and lasting peace; the way to a prosperous and equal nation. There is a democratic, economic and social imperative to create a unified and independent Irish state

“We have consistently urged an island-wide approach in key policy areas, including the economy, health, education, employment, agriculture, culture and the arts and tourism. We have given practical expression to this through the work of our ministers in the Executive and the all-Ireland Ministerial Council established under the Good Friday Agreement.

“We need to be strengthening and building upon the all-Ireland aspects of the Agreement such as the implementation bodies that have executive functions to apply all-Ireland policies on aspects of language, Intertrade, food safety, Ireland’s waterways and tourism. In each of these areas, progress and programmes of work are being advanced through the implementation bodies.”

She said everyone, North and South, would all be better off with a single economic unit on the island rather than two competing economies – “one single, fully-functioning healthcare system on the island rather than two failing ones; one education system providing our children with the future they deserve; and one single identity.”

Michelle reiterated that republicans believe in Irish unity because “we believe it will be better for all people of Ireland”.

In a clear reference to the Westminster Government led by Tory millionaires whose key interests are their English constituencies, she said that decisions about Ireland “are best taken by the people who care most about Ireland, North and South – the people who live and work here – and outreach to our unionist neighbours is crucial”.

She added:

“The status quo is not acceptable; it is not an option. Stalemate is not acceptable; it is not an option.

“With every election, we become larger, stronger and more powerful.

“To sum it up, I quote Bobby Sands MP: ‘They won't break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart.’