Sinn Féin Renew Border Poll Call At Ard Fheis

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has renewed his party's call for a border poll on the future of the island of Ireland.

Mr Adams used his address at Sinn Féin's ard fheis (conference) at Castlebar, County Mayo, to reiterate the party's stance on Irish unity.

He said: "This week saw the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Féin is proud of the pivotal role we played with others in forging that Agreement. There would be no peace process and no Agreement without the commitment, initiatives and political risks taken by Irish republicans. Or, without the great work of individuals like Des Wilson, Harold Good, Inez McCormack and especially Fr. Alex Reid.

"It isn’t a perfect agreement. But Sinn Féin secured the removal of the Government of Ireland Act, under which the British government claimed sovereignty over the North. The Agreement provides for a border poll on Irish unity."

Mr Adams continued: "It’s no surprise that the two governments are saying no. But Sinn Féin is saying yes. And more importantly, nationalist and republican Ireland says yes. And we now need to work together for a Yes vote.

"It’s time to let the people have their say on the future of Ireland. It’s time for a referendum on Irish unity."

But Alliance Party Chief Whip Stewart Dickson has criticised Mr Adams's comments.

He said: "Gerry Adams cannot speak of reconciliation while at the same time calling for a border poll. A border poll will not be taking place any time soon. Any talk to the contrary is just stoking up tensions.



"The issue of reconciliation is what we should be concentrating on now. Mr Adams needs to concentrate his efforts on tackling the problems in our society today.



"He will find it hard to reach out across the divide when he continues to use the inflammatory language of a border poll."

Mr Dickson added: "When he brought up this proposal earlier this year it was widely panned. I criticised him for proposing such a divisive poll during such a sensitive time. He needs to move on and help with the real problems that are here and now.

"Perhaps Mr Adams is out of touch with real life issues on the streets here in Northern Ireland; it's jobs, reconciliation, and dealing with the past that urgently needs to be tackled not pie in the sky border polls."

(IT/CD)