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Sinn Féin to hold unity conference in Waterford tonight

Sinn Féin to hold unity conference in Waterford tonight

A major conference discussing Irish unity takes place in Waterford this evening.

The Commission on the Future of Ireland, established by Sinn Féin is being held in the Tower Hotel from seven o'clock.

The theme of the Assembly is ‘The New Ireland is for Everyone - Have Your Say' - and Waterford TD David Cullinane told WLR News that various points will be raised.

"For me when we look at what a united Ireland looks like, we can see politics evolving North and South. Sinn Féin being the dominant party on both sides of the border is changing the politics itself.

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"We know that Brexit has been a disruptor for Ireland, but equally we know that there are lots of positive opportunities that a united Ireland can have both from a health and economic perspective.

According to the Sinn Féin website, their mission statement for a united Ireland says, "Sinn Féin is seeking a new, agreed and united Ireland. We want to build a just, fair, and equal Ireland, an economically prosperous and socially and culturally inclusive Ireland. We want to protect our most vulnerable, the elderly, children, the ill, the ethnic minorities, those with disabilities – and ensure that equality is the touchstone upon which all policies are formulated."

Peoples Assembly

Multiple assemblies have taken place in the North where Deputy Cullinane says a big debate is happening.

"Sinn Fein is hosting one of the events that we are calling peoples assemblies that we have had in a number of counties over the last few months in Derry, Belfast, Donegal Monaghan, and a number of other areas.

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"The purpose of it is as we transition to a united Ireland, there is a big debate at the moment about constitutional change and the potential of a border poll and what a new Ireland would look like.

"I think it's really important that every county is having a debate, every county is talking about constitutional change from their perspective.

"We are giving people the opportunity to come and have their say. Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams will be in attendance.

"We have a strong panel of speakers but the purpose of it is for the people of Waterford to come to the Tower Hotel on Thursday night at 7 o'clock to engage with the speakers but also have their say."

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