Opinion

Jim Gibney: A new Ireland can only succeed when its people are reconciled with each other as equals

<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill: The setting up of the executive, assembly and all-Ireland bodies bring many obvious benefits, not least the opportunity for these bodies to play a leading role in reconciling the people of this nation</span>
First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill: The setting up of the executive, assembly and all-Ireland bodies bring many First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill: The setting up of the executive, assembly and all-Ireland bodies bring many obvious benefits, not least the opportunity for these bodies to play a leading role in reconciling the people of this nation

For decades Sinn Féin has promoted national reconciliation with unionists as a primary objective in its peace strategy.

It has invested considerable time, effort and energy to this area of work because it believes that a new and shared independent Ireland can only be successful when its people are reconciled with each other as equals.

And that the institutions which govern people's lives, whether now or in a new Ireland, are based on equality and respect and reflect the political and cultural history of the nationalist and unionist people.

The setting up of the executive, assembly and all-Ireland bodies bring many obvious benefits, not least the opportunity for these bodies to play a leading role in reconciling the people of this nation.

Martin McGuinness, when deputy first minister, was the public face of the party’s engagement with the unionist community and his enthusiasm for this area of work was obvious to all.

Declan Kearney, a junior minister in the executive, is carrying on Martin’s work with diligence and thoughtfulness; like Martin, with a good heart, because he knows the central importance of this work.

It is not easy. It is difficult and demanding because it requires a different mindset to that when dealing with one’s own community or history.

The framework of thought requires flexibility – a broadening of one’s horizons beyond traditional beliefs which have been cast in the cauldron of the immediate conflict where much emotional pain and memory resides, very often hidden from view.

This emotional pain and memory is the legacy of Britain’s centuries-old colonial history in Ireland and affects us all, nationalist and unionist, directly or indirectly.

This emotional pain and memory was very much on display in the public response to the Irish government’s decision to organise a state commemoration for the RIC and the Dublin Metropolitan Police.

The strength of popular opinion forced the Irish government to postpone the event.

It would be important in terms of the ‘Decade of Centenaries’ that an appropriate event does occur to examine the historical role of both these forces.

There is a desire, particularly among nationalists and republicans and some unionists and Protestants, to publicly examine Ireland’s complex history and legacy as a result of Britain’s attempts to colonise Ireland.

Great work has been done by former President Mary McAleese and former mayor of Belfast Tom Hartley in encouraging nationalists to revisit the First World War and be more understanding of the circumstances which led to 50,000 soldiers from Ireland dying. Tom’s books on Belfast’s City Cemetery and Balmoral Cemetery provide an invaluable record of the contribution unionists and Protestants have made to Ireland over the centuries.

West Belfast based Féile an Phobal annually provides a platform for historians, unionist and nationalist speakers to offer up their views on many topics which promote reconciliation and understanding.

As part of the wider debate Sinn Féin launched its paper, ‘Inclusion and Reconciliation in a New Ireland’ at its Ard Fheis in November last.

It is the third detailed document the party has launched since 2016 looking at reconciliation and tackling sectarianism as part of the transition to a new, agreed united Ireland.

It highlights the progress made in many areas of society across Ireland promoting understanding.

The paper argues for a ‘new phase of our peace process based upon reconciliation and healing’ being urgently required and this objective being adopted by the North South Ministerial Council.

Given the RIC controversy it tellingly observes: ‘No reconciliation process was ever put in place after the 1922/23 Civil War or the preceding Tan War’.

It calls for political and civic institutions to tackle the ‘scourge of sectarianism’ and specifically for the setting up of an all-island Charter of Rights to protect the status, rights and aspirations of all citizens.

The paper argues that partition and sectarianism are the greatest barriers to achieving an agreed independent Ireland.

The people of Ireland have been left a divisive and pain-filled history as a result of Britain’s long occupation of Ireland and partition.

But the peace process, the Good Friday Agreement and the strong desire to overcome these divisions, on a basis of mutual respect and reconciliation, are guarantees that an inclusive and rights-based national democracy can be achieved.