Unionists must join in with preparations for Irish unity ‘as equals’: McDonald

The president of Sinn Fein has said that unionists must be part of the planning process for a united Ireland as “equals”.
Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald
Mary Lou McDonald

Mary Lou McDonald made the remarks in the wake of Michael Martin’s speech today (FOR DETAILS SEE THIS LINK – DUP MP warns against Dublin ‘interference’ as taoiseach talks up his Shared Island Unit), which she criticised for making no explicit reference to political re-unification.

Meanwhile the SDLP warmly hailed his speech.

Mrs McDonald said: “No longer is the goal of a united Ireland seen as an aspiration. It is seen as a common-sense proposition and necessary for the future prosperity of everyone who calls this island home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Of course, preparations and discussions about what a United Ireland should look like must include the unionist community as equals – it must be a process for them as it is for anybody else.

“However, it’s a mistake to think we can unify the people of this island while retaining the division that the border has cemented for generations. It certainly won’t be achieved by pushing back against a referendum on Irish unity.”

But she added “it is disappointing that Micheal Martin failed to address Irish unity”.

She said both Brexit and Covid-19 show the “folly” of the Irish border.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile leader of the SDLP Colm Eastwood said: “Our view has long been that those of us who want to see constitutional change have a responsibility to engage in a positive and respectful conversation with all of our neighbours.

But we also have to demonstrate the benefits of cooperation and the potential we have to fundamentally reshape the lives of those we represent for the better.”

NI’s infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon (also of the SLDP) reiterated her backing for the the Narrow Water Bridge, A5, and the Ulster Canal – as well as calling for high-speed rail links between the north and the south.

By contrast, she has said the idea of an NI-Scotland bridge is not a “priority” for her.

READ MORE FROM THE NEWS LETTER:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor