Adams, SF and pursuit of unity

How long more are Sinn Féin and Gerry Adams going to be dreaming about a unitary state that is not coming at their annual televised ard fheis?

The decades have passed one after another and there isn’t the slightest sign that a one-state solution to Sinn Féin’s aspiration will ever see the light of day. Words, words, words. Adams and others have written and spoken entire encyclopedias on a united Ireland. However, the sober reality is that a united Ireland is no closer now than it was in the upheaval of the 1970s and appears to be getting further away with almost a century gone.

Ironically, 1916 centenary celebrations will be without a united Ireland, and instead of being a celebration of Irish independence, should be a reminder that it has not happened. Moreover, Irish affairs are now very much in the hands of the European Union, run by superpowers which Sinn Féin acknowledge. In fact, constitutional Irish independence has been a very shortlived thing since the enactment of the Constitution in 1937 to the signing of the Maastricht treaty in 1992 — just 65 years of sovereign independence.

A united Ireland is just a political theory; the practical reality is very far removed, with tough opposition from unionism, loyalism, Ulster nationalism, and a recently discovered majority of those living in Northern Ireland who see themselves as Irish who want to stay under a British administration. Gerry Adams (once again) has talked about “reaching out to unionists”. What does this actually mean? Does he believe the Irish Government will come up with a proposal for a unitary state and present it to unionists for their consideration? Adams and Sinn Féin should consider giving up the cause of a united Ireland, because there is no sign it is ever going to happen.

If Sinn Féin and Adams want to live in their own world, that is their business — the rest of us must get on with our lives in the real world.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Co Cork