'Irish unification could help boost Welsh economy'

SINN Fein leader Gerry Adams was in Swansea yesterday to address the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.

Mr Adams, the first party leader to address the Assembly spoke at the Marriott Hotel about his vision of a shared, integrated Ireland.

He discussed with members his hopes that Ireland would have equal ownership and be culturally diverse with political, social and economic equality.

He also spoke about the recession and plans to build towards economic recovery across Britain and Ireland.

He said: "There is no desire on the part of Irish Republicans to conquer or humiliate Unionists.

"There can be no place for revenge in the thinking or vocabulary of Irish Republicanism."

Mr Adams said the recession should not be a reason to postpone reunification. He said: "There are some who suggest that because we live in a period of severe economic difficulty that Irish reunification should be put off for the foreseeable future. In fact, it is the opposite.

"There is a need, more than ever, for the island economy to be brought into being in the fullest sense, and for the political and administrative structures to be instituted with that in mind.

"Many in the business community, north and south, already recognise this fact. The needs of Ireland can be best met by treating it as an island rather than as two entities."

In a question and answer session, South Wales West AM, Bethan Jenkins asked Mr Adams how he saw the role of the devolved governments working with the Northern Irish administration and his party in achieving that aim.

Her question came in response to Mr Adams saying that Welsh interests would be served by helping Ireland with reunification.

Mr Adams said the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly was the ideal place for people of all nations to work together to assist with the reunification of Ireland.

Visit our Business in the Bay website

He said Wales was currently seeking a new Welsh Language Act, and Sinn Fein wanted an Irish Language Act but was facing difficulties in pressing ahead due to opposition by Unionists.

Mr Adams added that unifying Ireland was not just a matter for one party, Sinn Fein, but that parties in the Republic are committed too. He also told members of the Assembly that there would be no return to violence in the North, and that any attempts to hijack a struggle was reprehensible.

He stated that the party needed to unite Ireland now more than ever and wanted Unionists to find their place in Ireland.

He said Sinn Fein did not want revenge on Unionists, or to deny them their rights. "We have to listen to the Unions, not just talk to them.

"That will be very challenging but also very rewarding."

AM Joyce Watson concluded the meeting by thanking staff, the hotel and the National Waterfront Museum for their hospitality.