No illusions about new institutions
Sean Brady
Nothing can be taken for granted in the days ahead. None of the gains that have been made would have been made without struggle. The danger of complacency setting in among those who have political responsibility must be guarded against. The great strides which have been made towards building a lasting peace by providing a path to justice in Ireland must now be consolidated and built upon.
Apart from continuing with the task of building Sinn Fein's strength throughout the 32 counties, republicans must not cease in deepening our contacts with other political forces and constantly working to strengthen the Irish nationalist consensus. Republicans must ensure that Dublin does not now take its eye off the ball in relation to the North. We need to seek a continued and increased focus by the Dublin government, and indeed all of the Leinster House parties in the day-to-day affairs of the Six Counties in the time that lies ahead. Sinn Fein will continue to push the case for representation in the Oireachtas for residents of the Six Counties. This is an important issue for northern nationalists and would be a concrete expression in the post Good Friday era of the promises made to nationalists of the North by the Dublin government.
There is a significant element within the SDLP whose inclination would be to view the Good Friday Document and the institutions which have arisen from it as a political settlement. They are vulnerable to the traps of parliamentarianism and cannot be allowed to evade the need to pursue continued political progress towards justice and a national democracy.
An analogy which has been used to explain the dynamics of the peace process is that of the slow cyclist. If the forward momentum ceases, we run the danger of going backwards, or falling over. This must now be re-emphasised.
The struggle for peace with justice has entered a new phase. It is still
a significant way to the achievement of republican goals. What is needed
now are those qualities which have seen us through the worst and the best
of the past 30 years - dedication, patience, loyalty, courage, flexibility,
integrity and above all our clear vision and total commitment to a free
and united Ireland. |
