SF’s McDonald urges unionists to ‘help define a new Ireland’

SINN Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has asked unionists to open a conversation about “defining a new Ireland” during a speech in Belfast on Saturday.

The party leader delivered a speech during Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast Deirdre Hargey’s installation dinner at Belfast City Hall.

During the wide-ranging speech, the Dublin Central TD told the audience that a united Ireland didn’t mean “bolting the north onto the south”.

“It is an opportunity to define a new Ireland — an Ireland that is inclusive and equal,” she said.

“An Ireland that shares prosperity and offers equal opportunity. It is about taking the best of all parts of our island, north, south, east and west, to create a sum greater than its parts.

“I want to discuss the future and what’s best for all our people. So let’s have the conversation.

“Let’s be open to ideas and discussions and let us plan for the future together.”

The Sinn Fein leader also praised Belfast City Council’s stance on same-sex marriage and warned that it was only a matter of time before it was introduced.

“I am glad that this council supports Pride and marriage equality, and be in no doubt — we will win marriage equality for all the citizens,” she said.

Mrs McDonald said that the immediate challenge facing Ireland was Brexit. She told the audience that the backstop must be retained and that “the position of the British government or the DUP does not represent the views of the majority of people nor the interests of the economy”.

“Both the Tory party and the DUP should respect the vote of the majority in the north to remain with the European Union with all that entails.”