Gerry Adams – 'We need another Rising'

SPEAKING at the annual Easter Rising commemoration in Roslea, County Fermanagh, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD told crowds that 'Ireland needs another Rising'.

Gerry Adams said:

"Ireland today needs another Rising – a peaceful rising to take control of the ideals of the Proclamation and to put them into practice.

"Partition has retarded and distorted the political, social and economic life of this island.

"But politics in both parts of this island is now in flux.

"Many people now realise that that it makes no sense to have two economies, two education systems, two health systems, two tax codes, two currencies on one small island.

"There is a growing recognition by the business community of the economic sense of an all-island economy with joined-up agriculture and health sectors.

"The people of this island, whether urban or rural, from whatever background or tradition, share a common history and our futures are bound together.

"The message of the Proclamation, the symbolism of our national flag and the challenge for republicans today is to unite Orange and Green in equality and mutual respect.

"I would appeal directly to working class unionists and loyalists to examine the economic and social price now being paid for the union.

"Austerity policies imposed by an Eton-educated English elite is no more in the interests of people of the Shankill Road than it is for residents of the Bogside.

"I believe next year’s Centenary events should be a catalyst for a national conversation on these issues.

"Sinn Féin is committed to securing, in the time ahead, a referendum on Irish Unity so that each and every one of us, working together, can build a new, dynamic country.

"Such a referendum should not be seen as threatening to any section of our community.

"All political objectives can now be pursued peacefully and democratically and in mutual respect.

"That is the great success of the Peace Process."