Brothers,
I am
pleased to announce good news to you regarding the transfer of
policing and justice powers in the North of Ireland from London to
the North Assembly.
After much
work and arduous negotiations, some of which extended into
around-the-clock sessions, an agreement has been reached. Some will
find shortcomings with the agreement; however, compromise at times
is the key to negotiations. Just as some will take exception to
items in the agreement, some also find fault with both Sinn Fein and
the DUP. We must remember that both sides of the community rely
heavily on these two parties and we must keep in mind how far they
have brought the process to this point.
The
agreement provides for some key issues. The Irish Language and those
who choose to speak it are preserved and protected as well as the
rights and control by the residents of the Parades remains intact. I
am confident that this clearly shows a leap forward toward a United
Ireland.
Our quest
as outlined in the Constitution of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
for a United Ireland is something that we can now see as truly
attainable.
Yours in
our motto of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,
Chip
McLean
NYS AOH
President
For immediate release 5th February 2010:
McGuinness welcomes agreement
Speaking
at Hillsborough this morning at the announcement of a deal on the
transfer of policing and justice powers from London to the North of
Ireland Sinn Féin MP and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
said:
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach, Príomh Aire na Breataine agus na
páirtí uilig.
“I am very pleased that we have concluded this agreement with the
DUP.
“As
everyone knows this has been a difficult negotiation. This is hardly
a surprise given the reality that I am an Irish Republican and
others here have a completely different view. I believe in a united
Ireland. They want to maintain the union with England.
“This should not mean that we are incapable of respecting each
other, of treating one another as equals and proceeding on the basis
of partnership, respect, fairness and equality. I am utterly
determined to continue to work in good faith and with a good heart
with my unionist colleagues. I want to work in harmony with Peter
Robinson for the good of the entire community.
“That is what Sinn Féin is about. We signed up for agreements on
Good Friday and at St. Andrews and here today. We proceed on the
basis of implementing these commitments.
“We have agreed that the transfer of policing and justice powers to
our power sharing government will happen on April 12th. We have
agreed and put in place a process which will see the powers which
oversee parades transfer to our administration before the end of
this year.
“We have agreed a process to progress the rights of Irish Language
speakers and North/South aspects of the St. Andrews Agreement. Sinn
Féin are in these political institutions to deliver for everyone.
That’s what Sinn Féin Ministers and MLAs are here to do. I am a
Minister for all citizens.
“We are also agreed on the need to deliver for our community, it is
what they expect. There are families and children living in poverty;
elderly people feeling vulnerable and in fear. There are young
families burdened by massive mortgages and in fear of losing their
homes; people without jobs.
“Our
government needs to reach out to these people. It needs to deliver.
We need to confront and defeat all kinds of hatred. With determined
and courageous leadership we must continue to lead that shrinking
minority out of the trenches of the past. In this I am confident we
can be assured of the support of the vast majority of our people. We
need to make life better for all our children and grandchildren.
“That
is what this agreement must mean in practice. Fully functioning
political institutions operated for the people in true partnership
and equality. Let us now all face into the future with confidence in
ourselves and in the people who elect us.”
