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Orange parades have place in a united Ireland, says Gerry Adams
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Orange Order marches and respect for diverse cultures must form part of a future united Ireland, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams told a special event at Westminster last night.
The republican leader addressed an audience in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons as part of an international campaign to kickstart a debate on achieving Irish reunification.
Mr Adams said Britain's political control over part of the island of Ireland remained the underlying cause for conflict.
And in the wake of violence around an Orange Order parade in Belfast, he argued that respect for Ireland's various cultures, including that of its unionist community, must be key to a new future.
“I am totally opposed to the union but I believe that democrats must listen to unionism about what they believe the union offers citizens,” he said.
“A public debate around these key issues can only be a positive step forward.
“We need to look at what unionists mean by their sense of Britishness and be willing to explore and to be open to new concepts.
“So, there are many issues for republicans and unionists to talk about.”
He said a united Ireland must respect cultural diversity.
“This means that Orange marches, albeit on the basis of respect and cooperation, will continue in a united Ireland if that is the wish of the Orange,” said Mr Adams.
“So, as part of this, in a united Ireland the agencies, management, symbols and emblems need to reflect the diversity of our society. This is a daunting challenge.”
Mr Adams has addressed two similar events in the US in recent weeks and his party is planning a major conference in Britain in February.
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28 Comments
Actually Gerry, Orange parades ALREADY have place in a united Ireland, since there has been an Orange parade in Co. Donegal for centuries.
Posted by Stuart | 16.07.09, 22:18 GMT
Can you trust Gerry Adams?????
Posted by James Bruce Penson | 16.07.09, 16:30 GMT
How can you have a 'united' Ireland when the majority in NI do not consider themselves Irish & therefore feel no more 'disunited' from people in the Republic than they do from people in US/Germany/Togo/China etc ?
Posted by Alan | 15.07.09, 22:06 GMT
True, Sam, but on a positive note N.I. has made impressive political progress over the last ten years. Now it desperately needs to make more economic progress, so that ordinary people can focus more on "bread & butter" politics rather than on outdated animosities. I do believe Ireland will ultimately be united through a process of evolution instead of revolution, but it will come from future generations who come to understand the futility of divisiveness and bigotry. And it won't happen soon....
Posted by Tom | 15.07.09, 20:31 GMT
Everyone here seems to think a united Ireland will be an economic success. Is it just me or is the Republic in financial dire straits at the minute? I know the UK is too, but it's a much bigger player and will ride out the storm a lot easier, how will placing the financial burden of NI on the Republic bring prosperity?! And Len, we aren't 'pretending to be English', we are British and that's a fact, not pretence!
Posted by Steve | 15.07.09, 18:20 GMT
It took a long time but Mr Adams has eventually come to recognise a basic truth about human behaviour. You can never bully or coerce people into agreeing with your point of view. Britain discovered this with Ireland, Nazi Germany with Britain, the US with North Vietnam.
Had republicans embarked on a charm offensive 40 years ago instead of a military one, who knows what they might have gained in their quest for a united Ireland instead of all the agony and misery?
Posted by Charles Gibson | 15.07.09, 18:10 GMT
Get over the idea of a unitrd ireland gery, that would be like making scotland & england one country.
Posted by martin spence | 15.07.09, 17:33 GMT
"the tri-colour will be replaced" - posted by John at 13.44
Why exactly when a third of it is orange to represent a Protestant community which actually makes up around one fifth of the island's population? Do you mean increasing the green third of the flag for a more accurate proportional representation?
Posted by pablito | 15.07.09, 17:28 GMT
John, you're very right indeed. It's just a viewpoint I hadn't come across before. But it's only ever seemingly Sinn Fein that lead the chase for uniting Ireland. Who is it, if you don't mind me asking that is seeking reunification under the manner you've stated? They should be more vocal!
Posted by Ryan | 15.07.09, 17:24 GMT
Just so that it has all other colors that want to join in being part of the prade.
Posted by phl | 15.07.09, 16:39 GMT
Who said we are pretending to be Englih????? We arent english you fll and never have been in fact most protestants here descend from Scotlnd but I would not expect you to know this as you seem to view us in a stereotypical way.
Posted by Graeme | 15.07.09, 16:30 GMT
Perhaps those in the Republic can given thought to rejoining the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is not a mono-cultural state and I am sure a public debate could be organised to discuss their sense of Irishness and be willing to explore their Britishness.
We have more in common in these two islands, than we do with the rest of Europe. This should be reflected as such.
Posted by Conor | 15.07.09, 13:56 GMT
Gerry Fitt.
Ian Paisley.
Garry Adams.
Three politicians who came to realize that maybe the other side do have a point.
And were vilified by their constituency as a result.
As an ex-pat it pains me to say this, but the people of Northern Ireland are victims of history, condemned to repeat the same mistakes over and over and over again. Until they start to listen to others.
Posted by Sam the man | 15.07.09, 13:51 GMT
Ryan, Sinn Fein want a different form of unity.Forget about Sinn Fein. The vast majority of people in the Republic including myself do not support them. WHY? Because they are seen as a relic of the past. The same as unionism. Unionists will have a huge say in an United Ireland. The Tri colour and Amtran Na bhfainn will be replaced. Whats more important? A united people or people hanging onto out of date symbolism. We have a lot of very talented politicans in the North.
Posted by John | 15.07.09, 13:44 GMT
Very well put indeed John, I'm a bit naive, possibly even ignorant on this front, but if that is what Sinn Fein do actually envisage, would they not do well to state that very clearly?
At the minute it looks a wee bit like Ireland unites, unionists live under a tri-colour, sing Amhran Na bhFiann and reject their past which they would very rightly be steadfastly against.
Can you post a link to this manifest?
Posted by Ryan | 15.07.09, 12:46 GMT
More inane drivel from Adams.
Posted by Billy | 15.07.09, 12:23 GMT
Stephen, you have a point but you are incorrect. The UK cannot afford NI ! In the event of unification the European Union and the US have promised to pump in Billions of Euro to facilitate what will be an expensive process. Within 10 years of a united Ireland, Ireland will become one of the most properious nations on Earth. Stephen, you have to start thinking outside the box a bit! Think about it No Sinn Fein and no Unionists. Heaven!
Posted by John | 15.07.09, 12:22 GMT
Thos, You are totally wrong. I have a lot of good friends from Belfast. I visit Belfast as much as any other city in Ireland. Why do you think people from the Republic are visting the North in record numbers? They are interested in that part of the Country. Weekend breaks, shopping trips etc, If we were not interested why is this happening?? Thos, Sinn Fein are not supported in the Republic as are seen as extreme and we don't do extreme. We want a democratic and fair Ireland for eveyone.
Posted by John | 15.07.09, 12:06 GMT
Lumila, Sinn Fein are not supported in the Republic and would have no influence on how an United Ireland is formed. Thats good news to the vast majority of people in Ireland. The moderates in our society would be the ones who would form a United Ireland. We would hope in a united Ireland that extremes in Republicism and Loyalism would fade away very quickly. A united Ireland where ecomomic prosperity and tolerance is required as minimum stater.
Posted by John | 15.07.09, 11:57 GMT
Interesting comments by John. That however is not the Ireland the SF envisage. Why do you think that Southerners have no time for SF? Incidently they have no time for us in the North either.
A "politically"united Ireland is pure mythology.
Posted by Thos | 15.07.09, 11:44 GMT
28 Comments