Senate Resolution No. 926

BY: Senator KENNEDY

SUPPORTING the Martin McGuinness Principles

WHEREAS, During the darkest days of the 1970s and 1980s, Ireland's
conflict in the North seemed unsolvable then 20 years ago, the Good
Friday Agreement brought an end to decades of armed conflict; and

WHEREAS, The 1998 Good Friday Agreement between the Irish Government
and the British Government provided for the establishment of fundamental
principles that would later be known as the Martin McGuinness
Principles, encompassing Equality, Respect, Truth and Self-Determination
of the Irish people; and

WHEREAS, The goals set out by the McGuinness Principles have yet to
be enacted in the 20-year period since the Good Friday Agreement was
agreed upon due to serious obstacles; and

WHEREAS, The only path to a free and united Ireland is a committed
adherence to these very same principles that have exemplified the life's
work of Martin McGuinness; and

WHEREAS, The Martin McGuinness Principles support a Bill of Rights
for the North of Ireland, the enactment of an Irish Language Act,
support for the many victims and loved ones impacted by the conflict in
Northern Ireland and the opportunity for the Irish people to determine
the future of a United Ireland; and

WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights of the North of Ireland was a key
commitment of the Good Friday Agreement, however, this idea has been
around for much longer, because having rights guaranteed and gathered
together in one document, where all individuals can see them, is crucial
for peace and democratic stability; a Bill of Rights establishes how the
government should behave towards the people; and

WHEREAS, The Irish Language Act highlights the importance of
respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic
diversity, and it would ensure full statutory equality for the Irish
language; equality is an integral part of a democratic society and this
includes upholding the rights of Irish-language speakers; and

WHEREAS, As McGuinness said, dealing with the legacy of the past
remains one of the key outstanding challenges of the peace process;
there must be proper inquests for the families who have lost loved ones
and there must be accountability for the violence that was perpetrated
in the North of Ireland; and

WHEREAS, Irish unity is part of the process of building a modern and
dynamic New Republic; the right to self-determination must be guaranteed
to all sovereign and free people, and the people of Ireland alone may
determine their future as the Good Friday Agreement provides; and

WHEREAS, Adherence to these very simple principles is the only way
to honor the agreements and promises made with respect to the island of
Ireland; and


WHEREAS, Irish America has been critical to the peace process from
the beginning in promoting both cross-border and cross-community
cooperation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
support the Martin McGuinness Principles calling for equality, respect,
truth, and self-determination for the North of Ireland; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pauses further to support the
Martin McGuinness Principles to the extent deemed appropriate; it is for
the people of the island of Ireland to exercise their right of
self-determination and build a society based on equality and justice
through the implementation of the Martin McGuinness Principles.