From day one at the Sinn Fein address, here is the address from the Vice President, Michelle O’Neill focusing on reforming the Assembly and the Executive.
“Sinn Féin remains fully invested in and committed to the Good Friday Agreement. The commitment to a referendum on a united Ireland is within this Agreement. It cannot be cherry-picked.
“The Agreement also requires an Assembly that works for everyone. The current political impasse is unsustainable and unacceptable.
“For a full decade now the Tories – with the DUP’s support – have stripped our public services of investment.
“If the Executive is to be credible then it must deliver on issues such as public sector pay, safe staffing levels in the health service, economic policies that deliver prosperity for all and that invests in rural communities, and an appropriate welfare mitigation package.
“To be credible all of the outstanding issues must be dealt with including an Irish Language Act and reform of the Petition of Concern. It must also deal with the legacy of the past.
“The British Government’s refusal to deal properly with legacy issues is hindering reconciliation and wider political progress.
“Three years after the RHI scandal brought the assembly down people deserve and demand a functioning government and genuine power-sharing.
“An agreement was reached in February 18, however the DUP regrettably walked off the pitch.
“That is not a sustainable position. The delivery of rights cannot be avoided.
“At the start of the incoming year, after years of campaigning, same sex couples will be able to marry the one they love.
“The injustice of women being criminalised has ended. There is now a consultation underway which Sinn Féin will help shape, to provide access to compassionate health care for all women.
“After years of waiting the Historical Institutional abuse victims can see some light in their journey for redress.
“We should be legislating for these issues in the Assembly.
“I stand ready to form a credible executive.
“A new Assembly and a new kind of politics in the New Year is what I am working towards.”
David McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs
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