Our Future: Irish Unity
I want a United Ireland.
I make no qualms about that whatsoever. It is clear that the potential of this island has been significantly stifled by the historic injustice that is partition.
In 1998, a historic agreement was signed in Belfast by all of the parties in the north, apart from the DUP, and subsequently voted on by the people of this island. The Good Friday Agreement (GFA) however, is yet to be fully realised.
As is common with agreements, there is compromise and there is purposely ambiguous language. Consecutive British Secretaries of State to the North have hidden behind the ambiguous wordplay of the provisions for a Unity Referendum, in order to deny us that democratic expression. It is evident that the conditions for a Unity Referendum have been met. The perpetual Unionist majority has gone, and even more people from all political shades are turning towards Irish reunification as the next logical step in the development of this island.
As is made evident from the Brexit debacle, there is an ever-present democratic deficit between the North and Britain. The old lie of “a union of equals” is no longer a claim that holds water.
Time and time again we have been ignored by Westminster Governments.
I have faith in the people of this island. I do not believe that we need to be dictated to by a foreign government, I believe that our national vision should only be shaped by the people here, in Ireland. When we take back our right to national democracy, we can fully realise the ideals of independence as laid out in the 1916 proclamation, and 1919 Democratic Programme of an Chéad Dáil Éireann (The first Dáil).
As some may suggest, I don’t see these views to be ‘divisive’ or ‘sectarian’, those remarks are simply an excuse to refuse to engage in the conversation needed to bring about genuine change for the people of this island. I regard Irish Unity as an opportunity. As an opportunity to unite politically but also unite our people. Our flag is incomplete without the Orange, Irish culture would be incomplete with the culture of our Unionist siblings in the north, and I am genuinely of the opinion that our nation, all of its 32 counties, would be incomplete without the input and engagement of all of its people.
That too applies for all of those new Irish arriving on our shores. The current system has failed them, just as it has failed us all. High rents, low wages and precarious employment have undermined us at every turn. For those seeking refuge on our island, they haven’t received the ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ we are known for. They have been failed by a brutal system of Direct Provision in the 26 counties and an even worse British system at Larne House in the 6 counties.
Our new Republic must end these inhumane and undignified systems, treating every person on this island, regardless of their origin, equally and with the dignity they deserve. As Connolly envisioned:
“The Irish Republic might be made a word to conjure with – a rallying point for the disaffected, a haven for the oppressed, a point of departure for the Socialist, enthusiastic in the cause of human freedom.” (Socialism & Nationalism, 1897)
It is our duty to succeed in that cause, and our duty to bring its vision into reality.
We must shape Ireland. We must rid ourselves of the pains of old and truly work to build a nation for the people.
We have the opportunity to do so, that no other generation has had. That is our privilege, but also our responsibility to seize the opportunity; a Referendum on Irish Unity.
No previous generation has had this opportunity. Wolfe Tone and his colleagues did not have this. The women and men of 1916 had no such opportunity. Neither did Bobby Sands or Mairéad Farrell. We are the first generation, ever in the history of this island, that has a clear path to achieve Irish freedom. We must grasp this opportunity with both hands.
So now is the time to grasp that opportunity.
Time and time again, our people have stood up for what is right. It is time to right the historic wrong of partition.
The fight for our national reunification is not one that will solely take place in the 6 counties. It is up to every single United Irelander, from every corner of Ireland to stand up for Irish Unity.
The young people of this island have always been the catalyst for change, and so too it is up to all of us to make the change towards Irish Unity.
We must be confident enough to profess our vision of what our Ireland will be. In the face of opposition, we must be open to listen, and to share our ideas with everyone we can, so that they too can understand the necessity of reunifying our island.
The Ireland we seek to build must be an Ireland for All. Our Ireland is and Ireland for the people. We have to set out our stall so clearly to say that any new Ireland will benefit all. It will be a new settlement for us, and one where the power of controlling our national destiny will be in our own hands.
It is time for the youth of Ireland to stand up and be counted for once again. We have the vision, the ability and the overwhelming desire for a United Ireland. Be part of the movement that will achieve it.
le Caoimhin McCann, Cathaoirleach Náisiúnta Ógra Shinn Féin