Irish Republican News · December 29, 2010

New Year message from Gerry Adams

The following statement was issued by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams on Christmas Eve.

Nollaig shona do gach duine agus bliain ur faoi mhaise daoibh go leir.

I want to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a good New Year.

This time of the year is an opportunity to relax, to spend time with family and friends and to enjoy the pleasure Christmas gifts bring, especially to children.

But it is also important that we remember all of those for whom this Christmas will be difficult and tough -- victims of the recent conflict as well as all of those who are in dire straits as a result of the recession.

Ireland today, North and South, is at a crossroads. The economic policies being pursued by two conservative governments in London and Dublin have imposed significant hardship on citizens.

Seasann muid leis na daoine ata ag fulaingt sa ghearcheim eacnamaiochta seo. Ta an da rialtas coimeadacha i mBaile Atha Cliath agus i Londain ag iarraidh an t-ualach ar fad a chur ar na gnathdaoine. Nil se sin ceart na cothrom agus leanfaidh Sinn Fein ag moladh bealach nios fearr.

The adverse impact on public services, the economy, and society in both parts of this island is evident. Hundreds of thousands of citizens are unemployed and emigration is again on the increase.

Sinn Fein is an Irish republican party. We are a United Ireland party. We believe it makes economic and political sense.

Sinn Fein is for the sovereignty, independence and freedom of the Irish people and the right of our people to build our own society. Sinn Fein is committed to delivering for citizens.

In pursuit of this we have agreed in the North a budget which aims to protect public services while seeking to grow the economy. Despite all of the difficulties the Peace Process is delivering and next May the Executive and Assembly will complete their first full term. This would have been thought impossible only a few years ago.

In the South Sinn Fein offers the only real alternative to the conservative consensus. We are putting forward practical policies to regenerate the economy; root and branch political reform aimed at producing a genuinely open and accountable form of Government which ends the notion of political elites and empowers Irish citizens; the proper use of Ireland’s natural resources for the common good; the protection and creation of jobs; ending the two-tier health and education systems and continued support for the Peace Process, the Good Friday Agreement and further outreach to the unionist community.

Ta Sinn Fein ag suil go mor leis an bhliain 2011. Mar pairti uile-Eireann beimid ag seasamh san Olltoghchan agus i dToghchan an Tionoil. Beimid ag ra leis an pobal Thuaidh agus Theas go bhfuil rogha acu chun todhchai nios fearr a chruthu leis an fis agus leis na polasaithe ata a chur chun cinn ag Sinn Fein.

2011 will present significant challenges. Sinn Fein is up to the task of meeting and overcoming them.

But for now I wish everyone a happy, peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year

Adh mor agus dea-ghui do chach.

Gerry Adams.

Urgent Appeal

Despite increasing support for Irish freedom and unity, we need your help to overcome British and unionist intransigence. We can end the denial of our rights in relation to Brexit, the Irish language, a border poll and legacy issues, with your support.

Please support IRN now to help us continue reporting and campaigning for our national rights. Even one pound a month can make a big difference for us.

Your contribution can be made with a credit or debit card by clicking below. A continuing monthly donation of £2 or more will give you full access to this site. Thank you. Go raibh míle maith agat.