A Letter from Ireland
a Chara,
This week an Dáil (the Irish Parliament) passed a Sinn Féin resolution calling on the Irish Government to establish Citizens Assemblies and a Parliamentary Committee to promote discussion on Irish Unity, to produce a plan for unity, engage with protestant and unionist opinion about the future of Ireland, and to work to secure the dates for unity referendums as promised in the Good Friday Agreement.
The debate in the Dáil was informed and respectful. The resolution was supported by all of the opposition parties and independent TD’s. All spoke of the need to plan and prepare for referendums. Many shared personal histories of previous generations who had fought for independence and unity. All professed their hopes to end the division of our island.
The resolution was passed. The government parties’ speakers were clear that they would not oppose the resolution but also support it. Speakers from the government parties of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael spoke of their hopes for unity, but would not commit to plan, prepare or advocate to end partition.
Instead, they believed that unity would just evolve, that unionists would stop being unionist and we would waken up to find partition withered on the vine. This does no justice to the complexities of undoing partition and reconnecting different administrations, policies, and practices. It fundamentally fails to understand unionism and a denial that a united Ireland will and must be a new Ireland.
A unionist friend of mine vented his frustration with the attitude from some that he was just a “confused Irishman” who should come to his senses.
This seems to be what the Irish government’s definition of reconciliation and a prerequisite to unity.
As an Irish Republican, I knew too well the attitude as I was once told to accept that I was British and stop complaining. After all, why would anyone be against being a British subject!
Reconciliation is an ongoing process. It is about reconciling differences, not denying them.
A united Ireland can be home for all that share our island without giving up their identity. The Good Friday Agreement is explicit you can British, Irish or both in a divided Ireland and the same in a united Ireland.
No identity has a veto, and reconciliation is not a precondition. The process of reconciliation will continue in a united Ireland.
The constitutional future is in the hands of the people North and South. If a majority north and a majority south vote for unity then our nation will be united.
The passing of the motion is sign of progress in the unity discussion. The opposition parties are united on what needs to be done and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are running out of road in their denial of change.
The position of both parties has been laid bare. They claim to want unity but are not prepared to plan, prepare or advocate for it. That is not leadership. That is an abdication of responsibility. Hope is not a replacement for strategy, planning, or action.
Have a great weekend,
