8/9 May 1999
Address on Political Report - Good Friday Agreement section
by Sinn Fein Minister Designate Martin McGuinness
9 May, 1999
Twelve months ago we sat in this room, after four weeks of intense debate, and took the historic decision to advocate a Yes vote in the referenda on the Good Friday Agreement. At the time many republicans were apprehensive and expressed reservations but we ultimately decided that in the context of our overall objectives of Irish unity and independence this Agreement represented a step forward.
As well as calling for a yes vote we made substantial concessions in terms of changes to Articles 2 and 3 and also changed our party's constitution so that we could take seats in the new assembly.
Sinn Fein committed itself to implementing the Agreement and participated in the process on that basis, honouring every commitment.
But rather than deliver the change and promise which was contained in the Agreement, the past year has proved to be a year of missed deadlines, broken promises and the abdicating of responsibilities by the two governments and the Ulster Unionist Party.
Unionists
It is hard to believe that it is just two months since we had our first meeting with the UUP. Since this contact began we have extended the hand of friendship and we are now on cordial terms with those unionist representatives that we have been meeting.
Finally the mould is being broken. Old preconceptions are being broken down. Gerry Adams and I talk to David Trimble and John Taylor in a cordial and respectful manner.
We still disgree fundamentally on many issues, but we do respect them as representatives of their people. As republicans we recognise that we will all have to work together if we are to end divisions.
We want to work with unionists in the new institutions.
Appointment of Ministers
Bairbre and I are very honoured to have been chosen as the Sinn Fein representatives to what will be a coalition government.
As a republican representative I know that I go forward with the support of the republican community. Many of you, and those you represent, have lived at the coal face of struggle for the last 30 years and we accept and take these positions on your behalf.
We are not career politicians. We want to go forward and represent real people with real problems, people who are enduring discrimination and suffering.
And as we accept these positions we know that if we continue to make electoral advances that in time to come it is possible for Sinn Fein to be in government, north and south, and begin to see our republican analysis implemented. But we have a lot of work to do before we reach that point.
We are clearly at a critical phase in the peace process. The Hillsborough Declaration, now dead in the water, was a breach of the Agreement and was opposed on that basis. Despite this set back we continue to stay focused and will be returning to the talks tomorrow morning.
In my view Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, Bill Clinton and David Trimble know that the rejectionist unionists and loyalists are intent on applying a coup de grace to the peace process over the summer months.
The threat to the Good Friday Agreement does not come from the IRA. For those who haven't noticed the IRA called a cessation almost two years ago.
The threat to the Good Friday Agreement comes from Mr. Paisley, the loyalist death squads, the securocrats in the British establishment, from the Orange Order at Drumcree and those who refuse to implement the Agreement.
One year on nationalists and republicans stand ready, willing and able to implement the Good Friday Agreement. We have delivered on all of our commitments. The institutions agreed last year are not yet in place because the British government and David Trimble have not delivered their end of the bargain.
When the people of Ireland voted overwhelmingly for the changes contained in the Agreement last year they had the right to expect swift movement towards the fulfilment of their wishes. That this has not happened is a source of deep disappointment to Sinn Fein and the Irish electorate.
That result was both clear and decisive and no party, no government has the right to turn that agreement, or the will of those who endorsed it, on its head.
The demand that Sinn Fein deliver IRA weapons before we can take our rightful places in the Executive and all Ireland Ministerial Council is now being seen for what it is, undeliverable and undemocratic.
Recently, as Gerry pointed out yesterday, we put new ideas to the governments and the parties that we believe can end the current impasse and finally get things moving.
The political vacuum we are in now is perpetuating the nationalist nightmare. Nationalists are being threatened, harassed, and even killed. Those who are undemocratically holding up progress must bear a share of responsibility for these attacks and intimidation.
The message we want to send from this Ard Fheis is that republicans are sick of waiting. It is now time for the dithering to end. Tony Blair has a key role to play. In electoral terms he is the most secure British Prime Minister this century and in all certainty he will be in that position for at least the next eight years. Now is the time for him to utilise that clear authority.
- Last weeks talks must be reconvened immediately
- A deadline needs to be set by the two governments. Events on the ground make the need for a deadline obvious
- The new institutions needs to be established
The time for false preconditions is past.
The time for the old-style sectarian state is past.
This is our time.
We have shaped this process to date and we will be the main force driving change throughout this island in the years and decades to come. We know this is the case because we are no strangers to struggle. The present impasse will be broken eventually.
For our part we in Sinn Fein, inspite of all of the difficulties, obstacles, moving of goal-posts, are in no way dispirited or despondant. We have confidence in our own ability and the determination of our people to endure in the quest for peace, justice, equality and freedom. This is what the Irish people are entitled to. We go into next weeks negotiations confident that there is a way through under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. We have kept our word. We now expect others to keep theirs.