Aontú Leader and Deputy Leader Attend Ireland Future Panel Discussion in Belfast

The Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD and Deputy Leader and Gemma Brolly, representative for East Derry, attended the Ireland’s Future discussion in Belfast on Saturday.

Speaking after the event, Ms Brolly said: “It was fantastic to see such huge attendance at last week’s discussion. There were two political panels and Deputy Tóibín spoke on the first one. The ‘Protestant Perspectives’ panel provided perhaps best takeaway where mention was made of a revenge mission – this is not the case in Aontú – we believe in pluralism and in the vision of Wolfetone and the United Irishmen. We also heard interesting points on inclusion, on how people with disabilities must be invited to the table, how Arts & culture must also be up there in priorities of a United Ireland.”

Ms Brolly continued: “The practical negative implications of the border on cancer treatment was explored. Aontú means Unity – one of our pillars from inception – we are realistic – Westminster is not working for us - we work to unite the people – but work must be done now. We cannot approach Irish Unity in the same way a student might cram before an exam – we need to do the work now. Peadar Tóibín said that the border is like a wall of a thousand bricks, and we must start chipping away at those bricks one by one. Respectful conversations about unity like the one in Belfast on Saturday must continue, and they provide enormous hope for the future, with the level of maturity on display from all sides.”