Carthy hails seismic northern election results
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has congratulated his party colleagues north of the border on what he described as ‘seismic’ Assembly election results.
The return of Sinn Féin as the largest party in the north and the ability for Michelle O’Neill to be designated as First Minister is historic by any standard and clearly demonstrated that the northern state has changed forever, he said. The refusal of the DUP to agree to the establishment of an executive was evidence that they had not yet realised the permanence of that change, he said.
Teachta Carthy said.
“The people of the six counties have spoken. Just as the General Election south of the border in February 2020 it is clear that the appetite for change is firmly rooted across Ireland.
“The return of Sinn Féin as the largest party in the north is seismic. It is historic by any standards.
“I commend all those Sinn Féin candidates across the 18 constituencies – particularly in our neighboring constituencies of Fermanagh/ South Tyrone and Newry/ Armagh. I thank all those Sinn Féin members in County Monaghan who participated in the campaign in those areas.
“The electorate delivered a message of hope and optimism for the future.
“The voters clearly want all parties get back down to business; to elect a Speaker and get the Assembly functioning; to appoint a First Minister and deputy First Minister and form a new Executive in order to take the urgent decisions required to invest in health services, to help ease the burden on households struggling with the cost of living crisis; to agree a Programme for Government and a three-year budget.
“There can be no excuses and no attempt by the DUP or anyone else to punish the public and leave workers and families high and dry now or in the time ahead.
“The refusal of the DUP to establish an executive as of yet suggests that they do not recognise the permanence of the changed political landscape.
“The truth is that the assembly election marks a defining moment for our politics and all of our people. It presents us all with an opportunity to re-imagine relationships in this society on the basis of fairness, equality and social justice.
“I welcome the assertion of Michelle O’Neill that, as First Minister, she intends to work with those from all political perspectives, through partnership – not division. Her commitment to provide leadership which is inclusive, which celebrates diversity and which guarantees rights and equality for those who have been excluded, discriminated against and ignored in the past; is change in action.
“The scale of what has been accomplished since the advent of the Good Friday Agreement 24 years ago has resulted in the transformation our society, and in particular border communities, but we have much, much more to do in order to prosper and reach our full potential.
“This includes advancing peace and reconciliation, and eradicating the cancer of sectarianism in our society.
“The DUP, but also the British Government, must accept and respect the democratic outcome of this election. Brinkmanship will not be tolerated where the North of Ireland becomes collateral damage in a game of chicken with the European Commission.
“The responsibility for finding solutions to the Protocol lies with Boris Johnson and the EU, and their conversations should resume, but make no mistake this society and our businesses will not be held to ransom.
“This means applying the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts – An Assembly, Executive, North/South Ministerial Council and East-West structures without delay, and no further interruption.
“Sinn Féin remain determined to deliver all of that. But, also we are determined to deliver the change that is required across all of Ireland, the assembly elections are further evidence that the Irish people also want that change.”
ENDS
