Ahern's Comments Mark Shift Away from Previous Position

national | miscellaneous | press release Thursday November 20, 2008 20:48 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin tiocfaidh at btinternet dot com +44-7835 620 592 / +353-87 261 8603

Former 26-County Prime Minister Bertie Ahern’s comments that the unity of Ireland should not come about once a majority in the Six Counties favours it represents a shift away from their previously stated position, a spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin said today.

Former 26-County Prime Minister Bertie Ahern’s comments that the unity of Ireland should not come about once a majority in the Six Counties favours it represents a shift away from their previously stated position, a spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin said today.

“Whilst the Provos have attempted to rebrand the Unionist veto as the ‘principle of consent’, it is clear that the major players in the negotiating of the Stormont Agreement do not envisage an end to partition until a majority of present-day Unionists cease to support the political union with Britain.

“The continuation of English rule in Ireland is a denial of the democratically expressed wishes of the people of Ireland.

“Éire Nua offers the former Unionists a real say in the governance of the country, without any foreign interference in Irish affairs.”