United Ireland debate urged

Republicans must begin discussions aimed at bringing about a united Ireland with unionists and other political opponents, Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said today.

The Foyle MLA told a conference of the party’s elected representatives in West Belfast that as Sinn Fein’s electoral strength grew on both sides of the Irish border they should now use it to bring about a united Ireland which could accommodate the concerns of unionists.