WEST Cork Sinn Fe in has claimed that its exclusion from a seminar at which two prominent UUP MPs, Mr Ken Maginnis and Mr Willie Ross, will be present this weekend, amounts to a confirmation of the unionist veto.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Cionnaith O Suilleabhin, a Sinn Fein member of Clonakilty Urban District Council, said the seminar - which is to debate the theme "Hear to Understand" - was facilitating unionists. The fact that no Sinn Fein member had been invited to participate was a clear indication that unionists had so dictated, the statement added.
It went on: "The Bandon Encounter Group, which claims its main aim is to facilitate, assist and promote understanding among those more directly involved in the Peace Process, has taken a conscious decision to exclude Sinn Fein from the seminar this Saturday.
"Sinn Fein was the main instigator and is one of the key players in the Irish Peace Process, and it can only be assumed that its exclusion from the seminar is at the request of unionists. As long as groups like this are willing to facilitate them, then there is no reason or incentive for unionists to come out of their trenches and move towards an accommodation with the rest of the Irish people."
At a news conference in Bandon yesterday, the Bandon Encounter group denied that Sinn Fein had been excluded deliberately. A spokesman said Mr Maginnis and Mr Ross had been invited as guest speakers to explain the unionist position.
There would be other seminars and other opportunities for Sinn Fein to participate. The spokesman added that when the MPs were discussing the invitation with the group, there had been no reference to Sinn Fein and no request to bar the party from the seminar.
Other invited speakers include the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, the Minister for Justice, Ms Owen, Dr Joe Hendron MP of the SDLP and Mr Ray Burke of Fianna Fail.