Support Irish Equality Principles

Senate Resolution No. 926 BY: Senator KENNEDY SUPPORTING the Martin McGuinness Principles WHEREAS, During the darkest days of the 1970s and 1980s, Ireland's conflict in the North seemed unsolvable then 20 years ago, the Good Friday Agreement brought an end to decades of armed conflict; and WHEREAS, The 1998 Good Friday Agreement between the Irish Government and the British Government provided for the establishment of fundamental principles that would later be known as the Martin McGuinness Principles, encompassing Equality, Respect, Truth and Self-Determination of the Irish people; and WHEREAS, The goals set out by the McGuinness Principles have yet to be enacted in the 20-year period since the Good Friday Agreement was agreed upon due to serious obstacles; and WHEREAS, The only path to a free and united Ireland is a committed adherence to these very same principles that have exemplified the life's work of Martin McGuinness; and WHEREAS, The Martin McGuinness Principles support a Bill of Rights for the North of Ireland, the enactment of an Irish Language Act, support for the many victims and loved ones impacted by the conflict in Northern Ireland and the opportunity for the Irish people to determine the future of a United Ireland; and WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights of the North of Ireland was a key commitment of the Good Friday Agreement, however, this idea has been around for much longer, because having rights guaranteed and gathered together in one document, where all individuals can see them, is crucial for peace and democratic stability; a Bill of Rights establishes how the government should behave towards the people; and WHEREAS, The Irish Language Act highlights the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, and it would ensure full statutory equality for the Irish language; equality is an integral part of a democratic society and this includes upholding the rights of Irish-language speakers; and WHEREAS, As McGuinness said, dealing with the legacy of the past remains one of the key outstanding challenges of the peace process; there must be proper inquests for the families who have lost loved ones and there must be accountability for the violence that was perpetrated in the North of Ireland; and WHEREAS, Irish unity is part of the process of building a modern and dynamic New Republic; the right to self-determination must be guaranteed to all sovereign and free people, and the people of Ireland alone may determine their future as the Good Friday Agreement provides; and WHEREAS, Adherence to these very simple principles is the only way to honor the agreements and promises made with respect to the island of Ireland; and WHEREAS, Irish America has been critical to the peace process from the beginning in promoting both cross-border and cross-community cooperation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to support the Martin McGuinness Principles calling for equality, respect, truth, and self-determination for the North of Ireland; and be it further RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pauses further to support the Martin McGuinness Principles to the extent deemed appropriate; it is for the people of the island of Ireland to exercise their right of self-determination and build a society based on equality and justice through the implementation of the Martin McGuinness Principles.