A Letter From Ireland
a Chara,
I am an Irish Republican. Modern Irish Republicanism was defined by Wolf Tone as uniting all the people of Ireland and breaking the link with Britain. It was not a narrow Nationalism, but shaped by international republican revolutions in the US and France. Asserting the equal rights of citizens, all working for the common good and establishing democratic institutions opposing the rule of unelected monarchs.
Every generation of Irish Republican leaders has refined strategies and tactics to meet the challenges of their time. The principles of Tone remain constant.
CC BY-SA 3.0
I was reminded of all of this when I watched the British King make his speech to parliament this week. It had all of the pomp and ceremony of an age long gone. I suppose when you lose an empire you have to grasp at a pretense of the past. King Charles traveled in a golden horse carriage to address his parliament in a speech written for him by the elected government.
Charles is not my king and I am not his subject, but he is the British people’s monarch and they support his institution. I respect their choices. That does not make me any less an Irish Republican. My objection is to any British Parliament assuming the right to legislate in part of Ireland, and the work of Sinn Féin is to bring that to an end.
So why was I watching this anarchic parade? The King’s speech outlines the British
Government’s legislative priorities for the incoming term.
The speech committed the British Government to repealing the detestable Troubles and Legacy Act that granted blanket impunity, ended inquests and investigations, and blocked victims from accessing the courts.
The King’s speech is a statement of intent. Not all promised Bills will materialise and others not included will be added over time.
The statement of intent is welcomed, but the detailed explanatory notes raise some concerns.
The briefing notes make clear it will “repeal the conditional immunity scheme” of the Act, a provision that had been struck down in the High Court in Belfast.
The British government says it will reverse the policy that prohibits victims and their families from taking civil claims and it will set out steps to allow for the resumption of Troubles-era inquests.
The British government has additionally committed to more, saying “Further legislation will follow after consultation with the Northern Ireland political parties, the Irish Government, and all communities in Northern Ireland.”
Again we have had decades of consultation and existing agreements are in place. Those need to be implemented.
However, this is all presented without a timescale. As long as the provisions of the Act remain so does the hurt endured by families. Justice delayed is justice denied.
The new British Government has indicated through this speech that they have a change in approach from the previous Tory Government.
This may fall short of what is required by families.
As always we will need our friends in the US to ensure that the British Government meets all of the obligations under the agreements.
Have a good weekend.
Is mise,
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. Each week he writes a letter from Ireland with news and analysis. It is featured in the weekly Friends of Sinn Féin USA Newsletter. Be sure you are subscribed to stay up to date.
