In an article in the Andersonstown News some time ago, the former President of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, stated:
“The Good Friday Agreement created a mechanism for constitutional change through referendums. It was overwhelmingly endorsed in referendums North and South.
“There is a constitutional obligation on the Irish government – including as a co-guarantor of the Agreement – to advance the objective of unity. That means planning now and engaging in a process of inclusive dialogue that ensures that the process of constitutional change is democratic and seamless.
“The Irish government should establish a Citizens Assembly to begin the work of planning. It should agree with the British government a firm date for the unity referendum provided for by the Good Friday Agreement.
“I am not suggesting that this should take place immediately but the Irish Government should seek a date now which allows for inclusive preparation to begin. And that preparatory work should start now.”
This is an important statement from one of the chief architects of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Gerry Adams has called on the Irish government in Dublin to prepare for an all-Ireland referendum on the border as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).
So far nobody in the present FF/FG/G coalition has listened. It shows that the present Dublin government and establishment is not interested in pursuing a united Ireland and is not really committed to the GFA in all its parts. They are selective in their interpretation showing total disrespect for the wishes of the Irish people who voted overwhelmingly for the GFA in 1998.
The forthcoming election will be an opportunity for Irish citizens to tell the present Dublin establishment that they have failed to honour the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and that they no longer deserve to be in government. It is time for an alternative government which will implement the Good Friday Agreement.
Well said Joe. Am I alone in noticing that Fine Gael have upped their vocal interest in the topic of a united Ireland, with Minister Pascal Donoghue being their fourth and most recent senior representative in recent months to offer a sound-bite on radio last week, where he said he aspires to the day of a border poll.
We already know his former boss Leo Veradkar has made two seperate guest appearances at Ireland Future forums where he not only outlined his preference for a border poll, but suggested any future Dublin Administration should make plans with financial provisions for such a future poll. Even Taoiseach Simon Harris has recently chosen to declare on camera his preference for a future border poll. and I’m sure I probably missed a few other FG’ers making similar statements.
Cant say Ive heard a single FF minister make similar statement to that of their cabinet colleagues.
So my conspiratorial mind is asking, Given that Fine Gael has been the most vocal and leading the pack of other parties in their Witch Hunt against Sinn Fein over its recent difficulties, coupled with Fine Gael recent conversion to the idea of a reunited Ireland, are we now looking at the makings of a new hidden strategy by FG, to neutralise the SF threat and hi-jack the role of lead party campaigning for a United Ireland in the next Dublin administration?
Kieran, I like your suspicious mind.