Hostility to Sinn Fein unity effort emerges in Dublin

Posted by Jim on August 19, 2017

With the prospects of Irish reunification appearing to grow in the
aftermath of the Brexit referendum, some elements within the 26 County
establishment have become increasingly nervous. Some reactionaries have
already called for the Good Friday peace Agreement to be rewritten in
the context of Britain’s departure from the European Union.

Last week, the former 26 County diplomatic figure Sean Donlon said
reunification should only take place with the support of unionists,
without seeing any inherent contradiction. Irish Times commentator
Fintan O’Toole this week also sought to move the goalposts, demanding a
higher but unspecified target beyond the requirement of a simple
majority for unification as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement.

The response comes amid efforts by Sinn Fein to encourage the
establishment parties to develop a coordinated approach on the issue.
Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly called on all nationalist parties across the
island to work together to deliver a united Ireland.

Delivering a speech in Ballina, County Mayo to commemorate the 1981
hunger strikes, Mr Kelly outlined his party’s vision of a “new, agreed
and United Ireland, upholding, protecting and respecting the rights of
all citizens” that would also uphold “the rights of citizens to be
British and Unionist”.

Speculation has grown that there is a growing belief in Fianna Fail they
the party should be open to a coalition government with Sinn Fein. Last
week, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said his party is “open to
negotiating with other parties to deliver a republican programme of
government”.

Mr Kelly threw dont the gauntlet to all the other parties in Ireland.

“I challenge the leaders of the SDLP, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fail to stop
hiding behind the mantra of now is not the time to discuss unity,” he
said.

“One hundred years on since 1916, as we face into Brexit, now is the
time not only to discuss unity, but to plan and deliver Irish Unity.”

“So Leo [Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar], Colm [SDLP leader
Colm Eastwood] and Micheal [Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin], this is
the time put aside your narrow party political interests, the time for
national leadership, the time to stand together to plan and deliver
Irish unity.

“That is the project that can define the coming political era. Sinn Fein
is willing to stand with all those in favour of unity.”

The north Belfast representative added: “Sinn Fein wants an Ireland that
is defined by hope, prosperity and opportunity for all citizens
irrespective of their age, gender, religious persuasion, cultural
identity, political affiliation, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.”