Sinn Féin not walking away from Stormont – Michelle O’Neill
By Cate McCurry, Press Association
Sinn Féin is “not walking away” from Stormont and will not be “deterred” despite the “obstruction” and the “anti-Irish sectarianism” from other Executive parties, the First Minister said.
Michelle O’Neill described the “challenges” of being in Government with people who are “fundamentally opposed” to power-sharing and to “rights and to equality”.
The comments come following speculation around the stability of the devolved institutions following comments by Sinn Féin senator Conor Murphy at the end of July that powersharing was in a “precarious place”.
He also stated that the DUP “don’t have the political will to make it work”.
We are also very clear - the only way to fully deliver rights, equality, respect and inclusion is through a new and a united Ireland
Addressing a national hunger strike commemoration in Ballina, Co Mayo, on Sunday, O’Neill said: “Sinn Féin is not walking away.
“Walking away would mean handing control of our public services over to British Government ministers.
“That would be disastrous and Sinn Féin is not going to do that.
“So, despite the challenges of being in an Executive with people who are fundamentally opposed to power-sharing, to rights and to equality, Sinn Féin will continue to do all we can to move forward, to overcome the obstruction and deliver for people in the here and now.
“We are also very clear – the only way to fully deliver rights, equality, respect and inclusion is through a new and a united Ireland.
“Every sectarian, partisan or divisive action taken by the DUP, calculated to provoke and annoy, actually becomes another argument for Irish unity.”
O’Neill was also critical of recent comments by Andy Burnham after he stated that an Irish border poll is “off the table”.
During his visit to Belfast last week, Burnham said he is “here to listen” but added that the “rifts” arising from referendums “take a long time to heal”, referring to Brexit and the Scottish independence referendum.
“The recent comments of the new British Prime Minister that a border poll is off the table were divisive, arrogant and ill-informed,” the Sinn Féin deputy leader added.
“The right to a referendum on Irish unity is a key part of the Good Friday Agreement.
“A unity referendum is not a concession to be gifted to the people of Ireland by any English politician.”
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the Secretary of State can decide to hold a border poll and it also places a duty on the office holder to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to affect constitutional change.
