Sinn Fein invites Trimble to address Dublin

The Ulster Unionist leader was today invited by Sinn Fein to address a joint session of both houses of the Dail.

Cavan-Monaghan TD, Caoimhghmn O Caolain, Sinn Fein’s sole member of the Dail, called on Mr Trimble to speak to parliamentarians in Dublin as First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Ulster Unionist leader.

Addressing republicans at their annual 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration in Monaghan, Mr O Caolain said his community welcomed Mr Trimble’s recent call at his party’s ruling council for a referendum next year in Northern Ireland on whether the union with Britain should be broken.

The Sinn Fein TD said: ‘‘While others have dismissed David Trimble’s call for a referendum in the six counties (Northern Ireland) next year, we have said that it would provide an opportunity to focus on the Irish unity debate.

‘‘We recognise the fears and concerns of the unionist community. As people who have experienced second-class citizenship the last thing republicans wish to do is to impose such conditions on any other section of the community.

‘‘We accept the challenge to persuade others of the benefits of Irish unity and national sovereignty.

‘‘While they cling to the remnants of the British Empire, while they hang on to the disintegrating state which is the United Kingdom - or should that be the Disunited Kingdom? - those of our people who are unionists can never fulfil their real potential.

‘‘They will achieve far more influence and real political representation in a united Ireland, as distinct from privilege based on discrimination under the union with Britain.’’

Mr O Caolain said the recent proposal by an all-party committee in the Dail that elected politicians in Northern Ireland should be given speaking rights in Dublin presented an ‘‘important opportunity’’ which unionists should grasp.

A voice for unionists in Parliamentary debates would, he said, enable them to state ‘‘their fears, their concerns and their constructive proposals regarding their future and our shared future as citizens on this island.’’

Criticising the Stormont First Minister for his recent claim that the Irish Republic was a ‘‘pathetic, sectarian, mono-cultural, mono-ethnic state,’’ the Sinn Fein TD said Mr Trimble was offering his community a blinkered view of life south of the Irish border.

The Ulster Unionist leader had failed to see ‘‘the tide of change that is sweeping across the whole island,’’ Mr O Caolain claimed.

Some of this change was good but some was bad, he added.

The Cavan-Monagahan TD continued: ‘‘But let us all seek to shape this change and direct it to the benefit of all who view this island as home.

‘‘I extend an invitation to David Trimble as First Minister in the Assembly and as leader of the Unionist Party to come and address a joint session of the Houses of the Oireachtas as a first step.

‘‘I have confidence that this invitation will be endorsed by the other political parties in the Oireachtas.’’