Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has said Tory austerity is the biggest threat to the political process in the North and the progress made over the last two decades.
Speaking ahead of a speech he will deliver at a major reconciliation event in the House of Commons tomorrow, Mr Kearney said;
“The reality is that the biggest threat to the viability of the political institutions and political process is the approach of the Tory government.
The worsening austerity crisis in the north is incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement.
That can only have extreme and long-term adverse consequences, including potentially fatal repercussions for the Good Friday Agreement itself and the north’s relationship with Europe.
Deeper political instability and increased polarisation will surely undermine the prospects for reconciliation and healing. That must not be allowed to happen.
The north requires a ‘New Deal’ to build a fair society. There is a need for a new negotiation with the British and Irish governments. Time and space has now been created to address the issues which threaten political progress.
A defining period now faces the political and economic future of the north. What emerges from that will directly influence the potential for opening up a new phase of the peace process based upon authentic reconciliation, healing and a fair society. That opportunity must not be lost.”

`Uncomfortable Conversations – an initiative for dialogue towards reconciliation’
Tuesday 14 July, 7.00pm
Hosted by Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty and chaired by Professor Mary J. Hickman
Speakers will include:
* Declan Kearney, Sinn Fein national chairperson
* Peter Hain, former Labour Secretary of State for the north of Ireland
* Lord John Alderdice, former Assembly Speaker
* David Porter, Archbishop of Canterbury’s Canon of Reconciliation
* Jennie McShannon, Irish in Britain Chief executive