West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Fein Public Meeting on United Ireland to take place

Published: 21 April, 2009

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has announced details of 10 public meetings to be held across the North in the coming weeks, including a public meeting in Saint Mary's College this Sunday, 26 April, at 12pm, as part of the party's programme of promoting a national conversation for a United Ireland.

The public meetings will provide an opportunity for a discussion between the party leadership and the public on this key republican objective and on other matters of concern, including the current economic crisis.

They follow a series of public meetings and engagements across the 26 Counties and the announcement that Sinn Féin will host two major conferences in the USA this summer and a conference next year in Britain.

Confirming details of the public meetings, Mr Adams said:

''In recent weeks the Sinn Fein leadership has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland. There have been public meetings and engagements in Dublin, Cork, Longford, Mullingar, Ennis and Kerry.

''There have also been hugely successful Easter events rights across the island.

''Over the next few weeks Sinn Fein will be holding public meetings throughout the North and we have also announced two major conferences in the USA this summer and a conference next year in Britain.

''The two conferences in the USA will be in New York on Saturday June 13th and on Saturday June 27th in San Francisco.

''This is part of our commitment to engage with people in Ireland and internationally about the future of Ireland and our commitment to a process of reconciliation and nation building; a national conversation about the future direction of Ireland and achieving Irish reunification.

''The Sinn Fein leadership, representatives of the Sinn Fein Assembly and Executive team, our European team and local government representatives will attend all 10 public meetings.

''Sinn Féin wants to engage with people, and particularly those who genuinely care about the future of Ireland and Irish Unity.

''This is an important opportunity for people to speak directly to the Sinn Fein leadership about their hopes for the future and about how we meet political, economic and other challenges.

''Democracy requires the active participation of citizens and demands that political activists engage directly with local communities. These meetings underline our commitment to a future based on a democracy of the people, by the people and for the people.

''So come along to Saint Mary's College on the Falls Road this Sunday at 12 noon to listen or contribute and be part of the national conversation.''