An agreed, united Ireland is achievable – Raymond McCartney MLA

2016 – the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising – is a time to commemorate those who gave their lives in previous generations for Irish freedom and to reflect on the unrealised promise of the Proclamation.

100 years ago, men and women from the four corners of Ireland and the Diaspora – nationalists, republicans, socialists, trade unionists, Gaelgeoirí and feminists came together to draw up a framework for a sovereign, independent Irish Republic and set out to achieve it.

They envisaged a Republic:-

➤ Where people are citizens, not subjects;

➤ Where people have fundamental rights, not arbitrary privileges;

➤ Where there is equality, not elitism;

➤ Where there is unity, not division.

That Republic, a real Irish Republic for which those who fought and died for in 1916 and since then, remains unrealised – but it is achievable.

Thankfully, we now have a peaceful, political, democratic pathway not available to our predecessors by which to deliver the Ireland envisioned in the 1916 Proclamation.

As part of a series of conversations involving commentators and influence makers from across the political spectrum, Sinn Féin will host a conference in the Millenium Forum, Derry, on Monday 21 March at 7:30pm titled A United Ireland and the Relevance of the 1916 Proclamation in 2016.

The conversation will focus on the arguments for and against a new, agreed Ireland from the perspective of a panel which will include opinions from:-

● Michael Burke, economist and author of the recently-published book The Economic Case for Irish Unity;

● Maggie Lennon, a member of the Scottish National Party National Council;

● Alex Kane, political commentator and former Ulster Unionist Party Communications Director;

● Ben Lowry, Deputy Editor of the Belfast News Letter;

● Steve Aitken, Ulster Unionist Party candidate for South Antrim;

● Recently-elected Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly;

● Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin MLA.

As an Irish republican, I believe strongly that the people of Ireland would be better served by a single political, economic and administrative entity on this island. I don’t believe that it makes any political or economic sense to have two educational, health, agriculture, environmental, infrastructure and investment bodies serving an island population of just over six million people – less than the population of many European capital cities.

Irish unity makes sense.

Recent research by respected International researchers Hubner and Van Nieuwkoop (2015) shows that Irish unity would result in a significant long-term improvement in Ireland’s economy by removing currency, trade and tax barriers that currently impede economic growth. The study (carried out by the Canadian University of British Columbia) concluded that Irish unity would result in a €35.6billion boost in the all-island Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the first eight years of unification.

Recent austerity measures imposed by the Tory Government in London, taking billions of pounds out of our local economy – and with no consultation – demonstrates just how far removed we in the North of Ireland are from consideration in the decision-making process in London.

It’s time we took control of our own economic destiny which, I believe, is in the development of a single economic and tax regime designed specifically for the island of Ireland.

Austerity and inequality is the price of the Union with Britain. It is a price our people cannot afford to pay.

In contrast, Irish unity offers us the opportunity to build prosperity and create economic growth. I have no doubt that both parts of Ireland would be stronger together than we can ever be apart.

My vision for a united Ireland is that of a just, fair and equal Ireland – a united Ireland not just for republicans but for all of us who share this island. That is why events such as this conversation are so important. It is about creating a space for everyone to have their say.

All the people of Ireland – North and South – need to engage positively on the future of Ireland. There is no doubt that an agreed, united Ireland is achievable. Together we can deliver a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

Ireland must evolve, to respond not only to a changing Ireland but to a changing world and, above all, to meet the needs of its people, for equality, economic security and prosperity. To achieve this we need a government democratically elected by and which serves all of the people of this island.

We can deliver on the vision of the 1916 Proclamation.