SF reaches out to unionists on united Ireland
Adams calls for a fresh approach to end partition
NATIONALISTS and republicans need to adopt a new approach to convince unionists of the merits of uniting Ireland, Gerry Adams said yesterday.
Addressing a Sinn Fein conference on the constitutional question in Belfast, the party president predicted a successful vote to end partition could come within a “few short years”.
However, he said that outcome would only be achieved if unionist opposition was “unlocked”.
As discussions between the DUP and Sinn Fein continued at Stormont ahead of next week’s deadline to restore powersharing, Mr Adams said recent election results demonstrated a “deep political schism” remains.
And he warned republicans need to advance more than an economic case to end partition.
He told delegates: “We need a new approach, one which unlocks unionist opposition to a new Ireland by reminding them of their historic place and of the positive contribution they have made to society on this island.
“Instead of concentrating on the negative aspects of our four centuries of shared history, I suggest we embrace the areas of agreement and of cooperation, of good neighbourliness and the common good.
“A truly united Ireland will emerge from the reconciliation of the people of this island based on equality.” The veteran politician also called on republicans to reflect on the contribution Protestants had made in Ireland.
He said: “So, we have a shared history – we will also have a shared future.
“Our task must be to ensure it is a shared future which looks after every citizen, and in which everyone accepts the right of the other to be Irish or British – to be unionist or nationalist or republican.”
Mr Adams added the potential of a vote to end partition within a few years “is a very real possibility”.
And he called on advocates of unification to “consciously address the genuine fears and concerns of unionists in a meaningful way”.
The Co Louth TD said: “It also demands we look at what unionists mean by their sense of Britishness and be willing to explore and to be open to new concepts.
“Hopefully as part of this process they too will be willing to explore what is meant by Irishness.”
We must ensure it is a shared history that looks after every citizen
GERRY ADAMS BELFAST CONFERENCE YESTERDAY