‘UNITING IRELAND’ RALLY, MONAGHAN | 90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT

Déanann sé ciall Irish unity makes sense

THREE HUNDRED people turned out on a snow-stormed night just before the end of 2010 to hear Irish republicans state the case for uniting Ireland.
The audience, who had defied horrendous weather and road conditons, was reminded that following the Good Friday Agreement the Government of Ireland Act was repealed and replaced with the NI Act 1998.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, TD for Cavan/Monaghan, said although partition still exists its legal and constitutional basis has changed. At the time of the Good Friday Agreement, in the House of Commons, Peter Robinson responded to the new Act:
“It is very clear that, far from the Bill’s leaving Northern Ireland as an integral part of the United Kingdom, it introduces a transitional state. The Bill moves Northern Ireland from its full and rightful place within the United Kingdom out on a limb; it is being pushed towards an all-Ireland state.”
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin noted:
“You would not hear the First Minister saying this now but it is undoubtedly true.
“What we have is a transitional state. Politics in the Six Counties has been transformed and the Six-County state can continue to exist only in the context of a partnership and power-sharing government which is inextricably linked to all-Ireland institutions.
“We as republicans, therefore, have the task of completing the transition. And to do so we have to place the issue of Irish unity on the political agenda, especially in the 26 Counties. How do we do that?”
Uniting Ireland Co-ordinator Lucilita Bhreatnach launched the Uniting Ireland website (www.unitingireland.ie) which covers the popularity of the international campaign in the US, Canada and Britain.
“Partition was never supposed to be permanent and we want to encourage a genuine and open discourse with all of the people on this island about building a better future for all,” Lucilita said.
Gerry Adams launched the ‘Bridging the Border/Reconnecting Communities - Sinn Féin Mayors and Chairs Engagement with Stakeholders Initiative’. He said it was in everyone’s interest to get the maximum input from all stakeholders to engage and work with us.
“There is no more appropriate time for building a genuine republic - a 32-county republic - than now.
“Ninety years ago, on December 23rd 1920, the British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act and imposed partition. Its goal was simple - partition allowed for continuing British control and influence in Ireland.”
A republic, a real one is based on citizenship and citizens’ rights: the right to a job; to a home; to a decent standard of education and of healthcare.
“The right to live in a safe environment; to equality in the Irish language; and to participate fully in the democratic process.
“The right to equality and parity of esteem for all cultural traditions; of those from faith communities and none; for traveller or settled.”
Speaking about an all-Ireland healthcare system, British economist Michael Burke spoke about how “in the current crisis”, government investment in healthcare would create jobs and incomes and provide a boost to the private sector too, both as a supplier and as the provider of goods and services to the workforce in the health sector.
“One important part of that now would be a health service fit for the whole nation.”
Kathryn Reilly, Caoimhghín’s Cavan/Monaghan general election running mate, said we can never come out of economic depression when our country is divided into two artificial units.
“This is the message we need to reassert to every person and every community on this island. As young people, it is our responsibility to shape this message and to strive for a united Ireland.
“I urge young people to contact their youth organisations throughout the island and let them know there can be a better Ireland. Talk to them and send them the link to the Uniting Ireland campaign.”
Gerry Adams spoke about how democratic control over Irish monetary and fiscal policies would benefit all of the people on this island, including a common VAT regime, a harmonised income tax and corporation tax.
All-Ireland regulation of public and private sector business to ensure protection of the economic interests of the people of Ireland and all-Ireland enterprise agencies and economic planning would maximise the use of all our talents and resources combined to build a competitive and sustainable economy.

A Government Green Paper on Unity

A PROGRESSIVE Irish Government, planning for the future, could commission a Green Paper on Irish unity to be completed within one year, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams told the Monaghan rally.
“Such a paper would address all aspects of this national and democratic project including its political, social, economic, cultural, legal, administrative and international dimensions,” Gerry said.
“The aim would be to identify steps and measures which can promote and assist a successful transition to a united Ireland and to develop detailed planning for a new state and a new society that all Irish people can share.”
Gerry Adams proposed there should be a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas on Irish Unity to monitor, assess and report progress and a Minister of State appointed by the Irish Government with special responsibility to direct and co-ordinate the Government’s all-Ireland policies.