As we enter the new millennium, the aim of Irish republicans - an
independent 32-County republic, remains undiminished. This democratic
objective will be pursued with the same vigour in the time ahead as it
has been over previous decades and indeed centuries.
What will be different is that the struggle for Irish freedom and
democracy will take place in a greatly changed atmosphere, if the
political achievements of recent weeks are upheld.
This week's meeting of the All-Ireland Ministerial Council has
initiated a new political reality in Ireland which sees Irish
republicans at the centre of a new administration comprising elected
representatives from throughout the island.
The All-Ireland Council signals further movement towards the full
recognition of Irish national rights and the principle of equality for
all the people sharing this island. The past week was another step on
the road to a lasting political settlement.
Sinn Féin will bring a radical republican-labour perspective to the
new institutions. Sinn Féin will strive to strengthen and develop the
all-Ireland dimension and seek to lay the foundations for a new
Ireland based on equality and real social justice.
Sinn Féin wants to build a new future based on the principle of
inclusiveness and is prepared to work in a unique partnership with
other nationalists and with the representatives of unionism to achieve
this.
The achievements of recent weeks have been attained at great sacrifice
by many people over the years. Not least has been the sacrifice of so
many republican activists. As we enter a new century and a new
millennium, republicans rededicate ourselves to struggle so that the
free and democratic Ireland for which so many have laid down their
lives will become a reality. In the months and years ahead it appears
hopeful that we will do so in the knowledge that tangible progress has
been made.
In the words of Martin McGuinness this week: ``This can be and, we
hope is, the beginning of a new era for all of Ireland.''
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)
