Stormont provides no opportunity for Irish self-governance.

international | miscellaneous | press release

Tuesday May 08, 2007 19:41

by Seán Ó Murchú - Sinn Féin (Poblachtach) - Cork

Sinn Féin Poblachtach - Comhairle Uladh

Tony Blair stated that today's events at Stormont should represent an end to a dispute between "two warring traditions", and was subsequently described by Bertie Ahern as "a true friend of Ireland. True Republicans were only ever at war with England, and whilst she continues to maintain her Occupation of this country further conflict is inevitable. Those who have sought to ensure the continuation of English rule in Ireland are only ensuring continuing warfare between these countries, and cannot plausibly be described as our friends.

James Connolly - executed by the British around this time ninety-one years ago - stated before his Court Martial, "Believing that the British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, and never can have any right in Ireland, the presence in any one generation of even a respectable minority of Irishmen ready to die to affirm that truth makes that government forever a usurpation and a crime against human progress." We accept his analysis.

The English must instead announce their intention to withdraw permanently from our shores, allowing the Irish people the opportunity to govern themselves. Stormont provides no such opportunity, as an assembly under the control of Westminster - from where its powers are devolved - and continues to be subject to the purse-strings of England. ÉIRE NUA provides the only viable alternative to English rule in Ireland, offering maximum decentralisation of power to local level according to local majorities. Only this can provide for a better and shared future for the Irish people.