Unionists Should Embrace Irish Constitution Convention - Adams

Gerry Adams has called on unionists to embrace the Republic’s new Constitutional Convention.

The Sinn Féin leader was speaking at the inaugural meeting at Dublin Castle.

The Constitutional Convention was established as a means to discuss, debate and modify changes to the 1937 Constitution of Ireland.

Mr Adams said he hoped the DUP and Ulster Unionists would take part in the year long debate. "We should continue to try and persuade them to participate,” he commented.

The Convention is due to meet regularly throughout 2013 and is expected to discuss issues facing modern Ireland such as gay marriage, the voting age, electoral reform and the length of the presidential term.

The assembly is made up of 33 TDs and 66 citizens selected at random. Places are also available for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mr Adams said his party had put a number of items up for discussion, including the long-running Sinn Féin agenda regarding presidential election votes for Irish passport holders north of the border.

He said: "Sinn Féin is for a constitution that embraces all of the citizens of this island especially those who feel themselves to be British. A constitution which builds reconciliation between Orange and Green. A constitution that is part of shaping a new Republic for the 21st century."

Speaking at the Convention, Taoiseach Enda Kenny added: "The Good Friday and the St. Andrews Agreements are fundamental to the changed relationships on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.

"It is absolutely right not merely correct that elected representatives from Northern Ireland should be part of the Convention and that the Convention itself, in carrying out its work, should have due regard to the principles enshrined in the Agreements. The Convention must be representative of Irish society generally, and not just particular viewpoints."

(IT)