‘Unionists must change’
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said unionists need to change their approach to power sharing.
Mr McGuinness made the comment outside the GPO in Dublin when he addressed an Easter Rising commemoration in the city on Sunday.
He also said the British and Irish governments have become complacent over the peace process.
Mr McGuinness has said more discussions are needed between republicans and unionists to overcome the remaining problems in the peace process.
“Increased dialogue and engagement between republicans and the wider unionist community is vital. We must strive to understand the fears and apprehensions of unionists in 2013. A real reconciliation process is essential in order to create trust between communities.
“Republicans seek to build such a process but we need partners. Unionist leaders must end the practice of seeking to appeal to the lowest sectarian denominator. There is no future in that,” he said.
“Some supporters of the peace process have commented in recent years that Republican Ministers are in Government sharing power on the basis of equality because we want to be, on the other hand unionist Ministers are in the Executive because they have to be. This approach needs to change,” he added.
He also called on both governments to honour the commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. “The British and Irish governments have, in my view, become complacent about the peace process.
“The continued imprisonment of Martin Corey and Marian Price is an injustice which needs to end. Recently I made representation and gave evidence to the parole commissioners hearing Marian Price’s case. And I believe that the case I made was a compelling one.
“This week I met with David Cameron in London. The meeting was one of the least satisfactory engagements I have had with a British Prime Minister in the course of the Peace Process.
“Fifteen years on from the Good Friday Agreement there is an absolute need for both governments to return and honour all of the commitments made in it and in subsequent Agreements at St. Andrews and Hillsborough,” he said.
Mr McGuinness also called for a border poll to be announced as soon as possible.
