McGUINNESS SPEECH:REPUBLICANISM WAS about more than a line on a map, the North's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness told the Sinn Féin Ardfheis.
Building a new republic in Ireland was about much more than territory, it was about fairness and equality.
“This Republic can and will be rebuilt and renewed. And it will be rebuilt and renewed by citizens who will make it our own.
“Gone will be the days of phoney patriotism – to be replaced by genuine and solid republican values and respect for citizens.
“Nobody buy the lie that there is no other way – there is another way.
“Together, Irish people, working together can build a united Ireland and a new republic,” said Mr McGuinness.
Recalling the events of September 11th , he said that when the news first reached him of the attacks in New York he and Gerry Adams were at a meeting with the then taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
“As it turned out a great friend of Ireland and a visitor here on many occasions, the New York fire department chaplain Fr Mychal Judge – christened Robert Emmet Judge – perished in the Twin Towers on that day alongside so many others,” he said.
“And it is important that as we set about completing the task of uniting Ireland – of building a new republic – that we are conscious of the important role Irish people across the world will play in that.”
The North’s Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín said her recently unveiled Líofa (fluent) initiative was intended to promote Irish as a language to be spoken and enjoyed by people of all traditions. “My intention is to encourage 1,000 people from all walks of life across the North to sign up to becoming fluent in Irish by 2015.”
People could sign up on her department’s website and sign-up sheets were also available in libraries.
“Those who sign up will be directed to a variety of Irish language classes and other learning materials that are available in their locality.”
Lord mayor of Belfast councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile said: “Sinn Féin is the only all-Ireland party and we are the only party with a strategy to bring about a united Ireland.
“The 26-county Government must join with us in the work to harmonise all-Ireland progression, to ensure that commitments under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement are met and bring forward a Green Paper on Irish unity without any further delay.”