Gerry Adams: Let’s talk about a united Ireland in Cork

Next week, the Commission on the Future of Ireland will be hosting our first People’s Assembly in Cork. It will take place at 7pm in the Rochestown Park Hotel.

Under the theme ‘Have your Say’, the Commission is inviting the people of Cork to join in the growing conversation on Irish unity; to discuss the necessary planning for constitutional change; and the building of a new future for everyone in a new Ireland.

The discussion in Rochestown will be an opportunity to explore the benefits for Cork that Irish unity can deliver. It is about discussing the shape of an agreed new Ireland and ensuring that it is managed properly and to the benefit of every citizen.

The extent of constitutional and institutional change is for the people of the island of Ireland to decide - democratically and without outside interference and on the basis of equality.

The Commission on the Future of Ireland was established by Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald in July, 2022. Its objective is to undertake a grassroots consultation with the people of Ireland and internationally on the future of Ireland and to listen respectively to those who have a vision of a new Ireland. The Commission has held scores of public meetings across the island of Ireland, and within the diaspora in Canada and in the USA. Thousands of people have contributed.

The Cork event will be chaired by Colette Kelleher, who is a former Independent Senator, family therapist, and Chair of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.

Panellists on the night include David Lane, General Manager for Social Inclusion at the HSE, Bernadette Connolly, Coordinator of The Environmental Forum, and The Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork & Rector of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

The opening address will be delivered by Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD.

The Cork People’s Assembly is about encouraging and empowering people in Cork to actively engage in the discussion on constitutional change and unity.

It’s an exciting discussion that is widening every day involving community-based organisations as well as those within the health, business, sports, cultural and farming sectors. They understand the opportunities that exist in an all-island context for growth in these sectors.

The 2017 decision by the EU, that all of the island of Ireland automatically become part of the EU in the event of unity, was a significant decision.

In addition, polling by Amárach Research for the European Movement Ireland shows strong majority support, North and South, for a united Ireland within the European Union.

A united Ireland within the EU must be a central political and policy priority for the Irish government as it embarks on the EU Presidency in July this year.

The ending of partition will be a positive opportunity to improve the lives of every citizen - to build the Republic that was envisioned in the 1916 Proclamation - a republic of equality and rights.

Those who attend on the night will have a chance to discuss the current challenges facing the people of Cork and how a different constitutional arrangement can provide the scope to address these, as well as unlocking the economic potential of Cork.

Important issues such as jobs, housing, infrastructure, tourism, education, healthcare will all be explored in the context of reunification.

There are excellent success stories in Cork, the county has a lot to be proud of, and there is massive potential for further development in a new united Ireland.

The Cork People’s Assembly is about people in this county, sharing their opinions, debating perspectives, and having their say on our shared future.

We are just two years away from the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The right of self-determination is enshrined within international law and is integral to the Good Friday Agreement.

The “promise of the Good Friday Agreement” and its provision on Irish unity must be honoured and Sinn Féin is calling for concurrent referendums on unity to be held by 2030.

Before that, the Irish government should convene an all-island Citizens’ Assembly/Assemblies to properly structure the current discussion on Irish unity.

There is significant work to be done to prepare for these referendums and the prospect of democratic constitutional change. Work must begin now so we can collectively ensure that the next phase of this process is managed in a constructive way.

We have huge opportunities ahead of us to write the next chapter of our nation and build a modern, thriving and prosperous Ireland for all.

That potential must be seized. The people must have their say. The people of Cork must have their say.

A century of partition is long enough. It’s time now to look to the future and to a new Ireland.

Come along to the Rochestown Park Hotel on Thursday, February 19, at 7pm and join what is the most important national discussion of our time.