Weather: Hi 4°C / Lo 2°C
Adams begs question of how America can create united Ireland
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
enlarge
Print
Email
During Sinn Fein’s second US Unity Forum, on June 27 in San Francisco, Gerry Adams stated that “Irish America holds the key to a united Ireland.”
Can someone please explain how Irish America holds the key to a united Ireland?
Can someone please explain why no one in the media asks this question of Mr Adams?
Mr Adams knows perfectly well that Irish America has absolutely no say in the matter.
Even if every single person in the worldwide Irish diaspora wanted Ireland reunited, it wouldn’t make one bit of difference.
Gerry Adams knows exactly how a united Ireland can be achieved. He knows this because it is very clearly stated in the Good Friday Agreement, which he signed.
In reference to reunification the document states: “to bring about a united Ireland... this right must be achieved and exercised with and subject to the agreement and consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland”.
(See page three of the agreement at www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf ).
Let’s at least be honest about how Ireland can be reunited.
Since the majority of people living in the north are Protestant and favour remaining in the United Kingdom, the Good Friday Agreement has given unionists veto power over the issue of Irish reunification.
Jane Enright
New York
Post a comment
Limit: 500 characters
View all comments that have been posted about this article
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use.
Posts submitted in UPPERCASE letters will be rejected.
more nonsense from adams. will never happen, economically impossible.
Posted by stephen 1 | 08.07.09, 13:22 GMT
The Economist Factsheet for 2008
GDP per head (US$ market exchange rate) :
Great Britain 43,519
Republic of Ireland 63,197
GDP purchase power parity (US$) :
Great Britain 35,787
Republic of Ireland 43,867
Besides this there is more to self respect than money.
Posted by Patrick | 03.07.09, 14:58 GMT
rep should join uk, it makes logical economic sense.
Posted by stephen 1 | 03.07.09, 11:39 GMT
A united Ireland could be very close or a few years away, but it is inevitable; and Irish-Americans hope to be of assistance. That doesn't mean that the US would force unity on an unwilling Protestant majority. It does mean that they might use their powers of persuasion and tourist dollars to support the goal. It also means they might convince their government to encourage the English government on the issue. However, regardless of American opinion, population change is inevitable.
Posted by JerryF | 03.07.09, 04:18 GMT
It's not that the people or politicians in the republic don't want a UI, but we realize it would be a complete failure unless supported by a very large majority in NI.
Right now the vast majority of the unionist population say they don't want a UI. So what is the government in the ROI supposed to do?
I would love to hear some the ideas people have.
Posted by Gerry R | 03.07.09, 03:53 GMT
It's not that the people or politicians in the republic don't want a UI, but we realize it would be a complete failure unless supported by a very large majority in NI.
Right now the vast majority of the unionist population say they don't want a UI. So what is the government in the ROI supposed to do?
I would love to hear some the ideas people have.
Posted by Gerry R | 03.07.09, 03:53 GMT
SteveW
The great European countries (eg Germany) like us are independent and free. We are all part of the European family while maintaining our own identities. No one country is dominant, unlike your UK ( English 85% pop. and probably 90%+ of wealth).
Your UK was not allowed vote on Lisbon- unlike our democracy.
As for "silly comments" see above.
My hope is that you and your overlords leave the EU. We Europeans are building the future, not the past. Your UK is coming apart at the seams.
Posted by Evergreen | 03.07.09, 02:17 GMT
So much for the 'Good Friday Agreement'. Trust them. I don't.
Posted by Billy | 02.07.09, 16:17 GMT
They could always invade - it worked in Iraq.
Posted by neil | 02.07.09, 13:54 GMT
Evergreen,
'Your posting suggests that the Republic give up its hard earned independence.This will never happen'
followed by 'A United Europe is our common destiny'
So actually Irish independence is not sacrosanct after all.
What if the UK joins you common Europe? Last time I looked The UK (and thus NI) had ratified the Lisbon treaty but Ireland had not.
'let go of your England dominated mindset' - Silly comments like this only demonstrate your flawed view of the UK and do not help.
Posted by SteveW | 02.07.09, 09:11 GMT
Angus
Talk about the tail wagging the dog !
Your posting suggests that the Republic give up its hard earned independence.This will never happen, UI or not.
Your "economics" logic doesn't hold. If so many starving 3rd world countries would be asking the ex colonial powers to return.
Name me the country where "politician competence" exists. Shangri - La perhaps ?.
I recommend that you let go of your England dominated mindset. A United Europe, leaving your UK for dead, is our common destiny.
Posted by Evergreen | 02.07.09, 00:51 GMT
Angus, In light of the current economic situation I can see a United Ireland within an EU structure happening similar to the arrangement with Belgium.
Gerry's statement is obviously a sop to his donors, what is he meant to say "You can make no difference to there being a united Ireland, but I'd still like your green backs!"
I agree with Nigel Watson though, almost every party in the Republic calls itself the "Republican Party" yet none have a viable plan of any description for reunification!!!
Posted by Bren | 01.07.09, 17:56 GMT
In light of the current economic situation I can see an United Ireland within a UK structure happening similar to the arrangement with Scotland & Wales.
Wouldn't that give a few politicians nightmares that elections would be based on their competance or incompetance and that sectarian bigots would be seen for what they are!!
Posted by Angus | 01.07.09, 16:47 GMT
I agree with M S. It should be based on economic and social merits. But you never hear any politicians talk about a UI with any serious plans. By the time they got elections sorted out they would then spend years arguing whether the road signs should be in mph or kph!!!
Posted by The Baron | 01.07.09, 16:25 GMT
Good to see this letter coming from an American. Just hope that you can educate your fellow citizens that they will never have the say in the outcome of Norn Iron. As for Adams' remarks, It seems he will NEVER give up his unfounded hope of a U. I. which will NEVER happen
Posted by Stuart | 01.07.09, 16:21 GMT
Element of truth to this letter. In a similar fashion to Nigel Watson I could be persuaded to support a UI, however I won't be basing it on ideologial dogma like some muppets. I would assess any re-unification on its merits be they economic or social. Who will pay? Will public services suffer? What impact would there be on business etc etc. Until that time I won't be considering the idea at all.
Posted by M S | 01.07.09, 16:01 GMT
Hi Jane
I'm a Catholic who AT LEAST thinks the ongoing Union with Great Britain is the only realistic and sensible idea and is worth keeping.
Thanks for pointing out the lunacy of the provisional republican movement.
Posted by Sean O'Hanrahan | 01.07.09, 14:36 GMT
As a native of Northern Ireland living in the USA I can tell you that American's have enough on their plate without concerning ourselves whether Ireland should be united. Adams comes over here looking for money,and relating stories of Ireland's glorious past. Many of the people claiming to be Irish here could not point it out on a map! If the Unionists were not so 'bloody minded' they could,and should have countered Sinn Fein's excellent rhetoric over here. Happy 4th!
Posted by RMS | 01.07.09, 14:10 GMT
Hi Jane
I'm a Protestant who AT LEAST thinks a UI is a sensible idea worth considering.
But there will never be a UI because nobody wants it enough to think of a plan, debate it, refine it and over time sell it to the likes of me. A UI always has & always will require the consent of at least significant minority of Protestants - it follows clearly that if you aren't going to debate with us then you aren't really interested in UI
UI is an election slogan that not even SF takes seriously
Posted by Nigel Watson | 01.07.09, 13:17 GMT
Major Irish American (40% corporate America!) investment in NI coupled with a Cath. pop.rapidly approaching 50% and beyond.
The end of Cath.Ch.control in the Rep. multi cultural and young generation with open minds, an ever evolving European identity.
Before it read " the PARLIAMENT". It now reads PEOPLE of NI.
Republic (like Britain) gives NI very little thought and we have very serious misgivings about UI now that Catholics there have equal rights. We're in no hurry - would you blame us ?
Posted by Evergreen | 01.07.09, 12:14 GMT