Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 February 2005

10:30 am

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

No republican could ever go out and shoot someone on the basis of belief. The term grew from a consideration, an agreement and a policy that Catholic, Protestant and dissenter would live together. Nowadays, that can be extended into a wider community. We should base republicanism on that view. We need to recognise that republicanism was not on one religious side or the other but it crossed from Catholicism to Presbyterianism and in between during that time. If we develop that on a first principle basis in terms of how to bring forward deeper community involvement, we might find a sense of direction which is missing from the Northern peace process at present. That is not to say that there is no need or opportunity for political involvement — of course there is — but we need to have it in the full depth of the community from here on.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.