Connolly says she would use voice as president to pursue Irish unity

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Catherine Connolly said she would use her voice “in every way possible” to attempt to secure Irish unity in her term should she succeed in her bid to become president.

The Independent TD said she wanted to see Northern Ireland citizens being allowed to vote in future presidential elections in Ireland.

Her campaign for the Áras arrived in Belfast on Thursday, including a visit to Culturlann McAdam O Fiaich on the Falls Road.

She said any suggestion that the visit was a waste of time was “insulting” to the people of Northern Ireland.

Ms Connolly said: “I have spoken more than once on the importance of giving the vote to the Northern Irish people, in this election in particular.

“It is much easier than thinking about giving a vote to our diaspora all over the world, that is much more complex issue.

“It would be a much easier decision to extend the franchise to everyone in Northern Ireland for this election, unfortunately that is not going to happen for this election.

“Wasting my time? Absolutely the opposite, I have always felt that we have cut off a limb of our body in having Northern Ireland cut off from us.”

Ms Connolly pointed to the growth of cross-border infrastructure on the island.

She said: “I would look forward to a united Ireland in my time, I will use my voice for that very conscious that we have enshrined in our constitution in article three that that will only be done by the consent of the majority of people.”

The presidential candidate said movement towards Irish unity had to be a “process”.

She added: “It has to be a process which will be gradual, it is a building of trust and it is a building of a vision for a united Ireland where we value everybody.

“Of course I would like to see it in my term as president, but whether that will happen will be a political decision.

“But I will use my voice in every way possible for that vision to be a reality.”

Asked about her message to unionists, Ms Connolly said she valued diversity.

She said: “We have to value all traditions, all religions in an inclusive manner.

“That is what a strong democracy does, it is not afraid of difference, I welcome difference.

“I believe the stronger that one is in one’s own identity, the easier it is to embrace other cultures.

“Within Northern Ireland, we will do that by consent.

“We will bring people along by consent, it is enshrined in our constitution.”