Fianna Fáil rejects invite to re-unification debate

Martina Anderson speaks

A debate on the re-unification of Ireland, with speakers from the SDLP and Sinn Féin, was held at Conway Mill, West Belfast on Tuesday night.

Úna Gillespie of the West Belfast Economic Forum, which organised the event, criticised Fianna Fáil for refusing an invite to attend.

"Fianna Fáil refused to send a speaker, saying the debate was a red herring," she said. "If a debate on the re-unification of Ireland is a red herring, then why was Fianna Fáil able to attend the launch of the SDLP's policy document on a united Ireland prior to the 5 May election?"

The debate featured SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood and Sinn Féin's Martina Anderson, the party's All Ireland Co-ordinator, tasked with developing the policies and strategies required in the work towards creating a united Ireland.

Up to 50 people attended the meeting which saw a good range of contributions from the floor, many of which questioned the SDLP's commitment to a united Ireland, given their recent history when they classified themselves as a post-nationalist party.