The Five Demands

SF ‘ignore republican role in the Troubles’ (Belfast Newsletter)

Despite yet another prolonged address about reconciliation over the weekend, Sinn Fein has given “absolutely no recognition” to the role played by republicans in the Troubles, the DUP has said.

Sinn Fein has made repeated statements calling for reconciliation with unionists in recent months, causing much debate and heated response from unionists. And the latest peace salvo from republicans came from new Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson in her address to the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Salins, Co Kildare, yesterday.

Ms Anderson said her party believed that those “who believe in Irish unity must reach out to unionists and to engage with them about the future of this island that we share”.

She said: “As followers of Tone we believe in the unity of Protestant, Catholic and dissenter. We do not believe that a united Ireland and a new Republic can be built without the involvement of the unionist community. We must all engage in the all-important discussions around the nature and form of future structures on this island.”

The MEP said that partition “created a sectarian, one-party state in the north” but that “the Orange state that led to so much conflict and suffering is gone”.

She said Sinn Fein “fully acknowledges the attachment that many within the unionist section of Irish society have to a sense of Britishness, and to institutions such as the English Royal Family”.

The Sinn Fein vision for a united Ireland would facilitate “the fullest expression of their identity, including those Irish people who wish also to express a British identity. Real reconciliation on this island also means dealing with the legacy of conflict. That will challenge everyone — republicans, unionists and governments in London and Dublin”.

But Lagan Valley DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said Ms Anderson has once again “demonstrated why unionists are right to be sceptical about Sinn Fein’s words on reconciliation”. He said: “Once again there is an attempt to blame others for the terrorism which blighted Northern Ireland for 30 years but absolutely no recognition of the role of republicans. If republicans were truly serious then they should step forward to admit the wrongs that they caused and actually say sorry.

“Instead of even attempting to deal with the real world it is easier for Sinn Fein to inhabit the fantasy land of united Ireland politics. There is growing evidence that republicans are failing to convince a majority of the Catholic population of the merits of a united Ireland, let alone unionists or Protestants who will be even more sceptical.

“It is time for politicians on all sides to get on with making Northern Ireland a better place for all of our people, rather than chasing republican pipedreams.”

Sinn Fein’s Anderson ‘respects’ unionists’ links to the royals (Belfast Telegraph)

New Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has told republicans that Sinn Fein fully respects the attachment many unionists have to British “symbols and institutions” such as the royal family.

Her reconciliatory comments come at a time of intense speculation over whether Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness will meet the Queen when she travels here as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour.

Ms Anderson — who took her Strasbourg seat on Wednesday — told the party’s annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown that “shaping a genuine national reconciliation process crucially involves increased understanding, respect and reaching out to those from the unionist tradition”.

“Let me state very clearly that Sinn Fein fully acknowledges the attachment that many within the unionist section of Irish society have to a sense of Britishness and to symbols and institutions such as the English royal family — and we respect that,” she said.

However, there was surprise last week when Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin said she would not be attending the jubilee visit later this month, claiming Sinn Fein had not been consulted by the Northern Ireland Office over a Stormont event.

Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness later said the “insensitive” way in which the NIO had announced it meant “we do not have a do-able proposition” over a meeting with the Queen.

But in Dublin on Friday, Mr McGuinness said “if there is a serious proposition then it would be considered by the Sinn Fein leadership”. “But let me make it absolutely clear any decision that I am part of will be about ensuring that decision will enhance the peace process and will not in any way damage it,” he added.

Former Sinn Fein MLA Billy Leonard said yesterday he had a “hunch” it will take place.