Nationalism Is In Crisis - Robinson

Nationalism is currently in crisis, while unionism is becoming a more attractive proposition for Northern Ireland’s Catholic population, according to Peter Robinson.

The DUP leader and First Minister has told a party gathering that many people are defining themselves as 'Northern Irish' now, making the nationalist goal of a united Ireland an even more remote possibility.

He said the real political crisis at present is within nationalism as the views of many Catholics are not reflected in the policies of the SDLP and Sinn Fein.

Mr Robinson claimed many Catholics were now opening up a new political space, which his party could lead.

"They are not coming with a textbook nationalist wish-list demanding it be satisfied, but rather they want to know what we will deliver for them, their family and Northern Ireland," he said.

"In 1994 Fionnuala O’Connor produced her study of Northern Irish Catholics entitled In Search of a State: Catholics in Northern Ireland. I believe that 20 years later a growing proportion of Catholics are beginning to believe their search is over."

He said many commentators were stuck in the 1980s and 1990s and ignoring shifts in identity in Northern Ireland.

"The fastest growing section of society is those who classify themselves as 'other'," he said.

"The greatest growth in identity group is those who classify themselves as Northern Irish."

The First Minister referred to talks between former SDLP leader John Hume and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in the 1990s which resulted from the publication of a paper.

"It predicted that within five to ten years their process would achieve a united Ireland. Two decades later and their goal is further away than ever. Their grand plan by their grand strategist Adams has failed," he said.

Responding to claims that the seeking of Catholic votes could dilute unionist politics, the First Minister said: "Unionism is...capable of attracting a working class Protestant, a Catholic businessman and an immigrant seeking to build a new life in our country."

(IT)