The Five Demands

L’ex leader del DUP Ian Paisley, ha formulato il suo addio dinnanzi alla House of Commons insistendo che l’Irlanda del Nord si sta muovendo ‘nella direzione giusta’

E’ il momento degli addii per Ian Paisley dopo la sua decisione di non presentarsi alle prossime General Election.
In un discorso di 11 minuti alla House of Commons ha dichiarato che verrà il giorno in cui i Troubles verranno dimenticati.
Con stato d’animo riflessivo ha aggiunto: “Ci sono persone in Irlanda del Nord che hanno diverse convinzioni religiose e di diverse convinzioni politiche – ma possono vivere insieme come vicini di casa.
“Sono fiducioso che grazie alla buona amicizia in questa House (of Commons) versol’Irlanda del Nord, andremo avanti e giungeremo a un giorno – che forse non vivrò per vederlo – in cui i Troubles saranno dimenticati”.
Ma ha ammesso che ci sono ancora ferite profonde da superare ed ha insistito che “non bisogna dimenticare il prezzo che è stato pagato”. “L’Irlanda del Nord si sta muovendo nella giusta direzione e la House (of Commons) deve incoraggiarla ad andare avanti in questo momento.”
In merito alla devolution, ha commentato: “Non significa che abbiamo raggiunto la fine del viaggio – siam lontano da questo. Ma siamo sulla strada giusta.”
Il suo successore alla testa del DUP, Peter Robinson, ha tributato elogi all’operato di Ian Paisley dichiarando: “Il suo nome sarà ricordato nella storia dell’Irlanda del Nord, come una delle figure più influenti dell’unionismo”.
“La sua leadership è stato un fattore importante nel portare l’Irlanda del Nord verso la società pacifica e stabile di cui stiamo godendo”.

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Paisley bids farewell to Commons (NewsLetter)
Former DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley has made his farewell speech in the Commons, insisting Northern Ireland was “moving in the right direction.”
In an 11-minute valedictory speech on Monday evening, Mr Paisley wished for a time when the Troubles would be forgotten.
And he paid tribute to the Ulster people as “loving and caring.”
Peter Robinson, the current DUP leader, paid tribute to his predecessor’s “colourful career,” describing him as a “colossus” of Ulster politics.
“His name will be remembered in the history of Northern Ireland as one of the most influential figures in unionism,” Mr Robinson said.
“His leadership has been a major factor in bringing Northern Ireland through to the peaceful and stable society we are now enjoying.”
In a parliamentary career dating back to 1970 Mr Paisley often dominated debates on Northern Ireland with feats of towering oratory.
But last night he was in reflective mood before stepping down at the general election.
He said the day had come when Northern Ireland must face the facts.
“There are people in Northern Ireland who have diverse religious convictions and diverse political convictions – but they can live together as neighbours.
“I am confident that with the good friendship that is in this House towards Northern Ireland that we will go forward and come to a day – I may not live to see it – when these Troubles will be forgotten.”
But he acknowledged there were “deep wounds” still to overcome and insisted: “We won’t forget the price that was paid.”
Mr Paisley said: “Northern Ireland is moving in the right direction and this House needs to encourage it to go forward at this time.”
He welcomed the “good work” of various Northern Ireland Secretaries while admitting “some of them we would liked to have punched.”
In debate on parliamentary orders that will enable the creation of a Department for Justice in Northern Ireland, he added: “It doesn’t mean we have reached the end of the journey – far from it. But we are in the right way.”