Sinn Féin announces West Tyrone People's Assembly

SINN Féin MP., Órfhlaith Begley, has announced that the party will be holding a West Tyrone People’s Assembly in the Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane, on Tuesday, February 27.

The People’s Assembly is the work of the ‘Commission on the Future of Ireland’ which is a Sinn Féin initiative aimed at encouraging people to have their say on the future of Ireland.

Over the last 15 months the Commission has organised ten very successful such events.

Some of these have been sectoral events for young people and women and all of the meetings have had independent chairs and panels from the wider community to encourage the discussion.

Registration for the event will be opened online early in the New Year.

The West Tyrone MP said: "At a time when public interest in Irish Unity has never been greater the People’s Assemblies are an opportunity for citizens to have their say on all issues pertaining to the future of Ireland.

“What should the new constitutional and governance structures look like? What is the role of the Irish government at this critical juncture in our history? What about the rights and protections needed to underpin equality and democracy and language rights in the new Ireland?

"And of course, many people are already talking about the imperative of a public health service for the island and an economy that makes best use of its place within the EU.

“The Commission is actively encouraging citizens from the protestant/loyalist/unionist section of our people to engage with the Commission so that we can have a full discussion on all aspects of the new Ireland, including how best to address their concerns and opinions.

“The Commission on the Future of Ireland is also an opportunity for alternative proposals to be presented by those with a different vision of Ireland.”

Anyone wishing to make a submission to the Commission can do so at www.sinnfein.ie/futureofireland