Sinn Féin launch public hearings
By Michael Pierse
Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty has announced the
holding of a number of public hearings in the coming
months entitled ``Our Future - A United Ireland''.
``The aim of these forums is to give the general public
an opportunity to become pro-active in shaping the
outcome of this phase of the negotiations,.'' he said.
Referring to the success of the 1994 Peace Comission,
he said that ``since then Sinn Féin have continued with
this outreach approach through the organisation of
regular public forums, nationally and internationally
and also through contact with a wide range of
political, community, business and church opinion.''
These objectives were outlined at a press conference
last Thursday, also attended by Sinn Féin Chairperson
Mitchel McLaughlin, General Secretary Lucilita
Bhreatnach, Ard Comhairle member Councillor Francie
Molloy and peace negotiator Annie Armstrong, who will
all be panel members at the hearings.
Lucilita Bhreathnach said hearings will be held
throughout the country to ensure ``real discussion at
grass roots level, urban and rural. There is a wealth
of opinion throughout the country which has thus far
been excluded from the talks confined to Castle
Buildings. Sinn Féin is always open to new views and
have regular meetings relating to our peace strategy,
the Peace Process and politics in general.'' She
implored all parties to ``reach out and tap into the
wealth of opinion out there,'' and said she hoped that
this commission will play a small part in ``relieving
the alienation which many people feel.''
Asked about the frustrating lack of progress which has
so-far occurred, Bhreatnach responded that ``people
involved in community work, trying to improve their
lives and the lives of their people must have their
voices heard'' and that ``a fully inclusive process needs
to involve as many people as possible to bring about
the type of Ireland we all want.''
The first hearing of the commission will occur in the
Writer's Museum, Parnell Square, Dublin on 28 March.
The second, for the North West region, will be held in
the Firtrees Hotel, Strabane on 4 April. Further
hearings will take place in Cork City on 25 April and
Dungannon on 2 May.
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