Conor Murphy to address West Tyrone People's Assembly

MINISTER for the Economy and Sinn Féin MLA., Conor Murphy, will address next week's West Tyrone People’s Assembly in Strabane.

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.

A meeting of the Assembly is taking place in the Fir Trees Hotel next Tuesday, February 27, at 7pm.

Looking ahead to the event, Mr Murphy said: "The Good Friday Agreement provides a peaceful and democratic pathway to reunification. I

"I am fully committed to power-sharing with unionism and others where our political allegiances and aspirations are both respected and equally legitimate.

“I see no contradiction in having a mature conversation about the constitutional future of this island and how all those who share it can map out a future together.

"This event is an opportunity to put forward ideas and to listen to those of others around a vision for a New Ireland.

“The West Tyrone event has a strong panel of contributors but this is about hearing what the public has to say on this very exciting opportunity.

“What should the new constitutional and governance structures look like? How do we accommodate those who are British and Unionist? 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?

"Furthermore, many people are already talking about the imperative of a public health service for the island and an economy that makes best use of the potential afforded by the European Union."

The panellists include: Michelle Canning, communications adviser, co-founder of Women in PR and former journalist, Dr Kieran Kennedy, chairman of 21 Training and Strabane Business Improvement District, Annette Kelly, owner of Little Penny Thoughts and mental health advocate, Professor Malachy Ó Néill, director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University and Dr Brendan O'Hare, GP and health service manager.

Speaking recent opinion polls around the topic of Irish unity, Mr Murphy continued: "There has been movement both in terms of support for the union, and in terms of either supporting the idea of a united Ireland or indeed potentially supporting a united Ireland over the last number of years.

“That dial has shifted significantly, and we haven’t even had a proper conversation yet in relation to what that would look like.

“For us the priority, is particularly for the government in Dublin to form a structured conversation, to analyse and examine all of the issues that may come in terms of constitutional change, so that when people do and I believe that they will come to make a decision on that in the not so distant future, that people are fully informed of what that involves.”

Speaking ahead of the event, Sinn Féin MP., Órfhlaith Begley, said: "I would encourage individuals, groups, businesses and organisations from across the various sectors to come along and join the conversation.

“The issue of constitutional change is now firmly fixed on the political agenda. The conversation on the merits of a United Ireland – of a new shared Ireland - is now widespread.

"We must plan for it. We must discuss how best to shape the new Ireland for this and future generations.”

This event is open to the public and you can register to attend at Eventbrite.

For information on previous events and to make a written contribution visit

www.sinnfein.ie/futureofireland