SR57

A Senate Resolution calling upon the English and Irish governments to take immediate steps necessary to bring to fullness the promises of the All Ireland institutions called for and envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Whereas, Ireland and its people are an ancient and distinct nation; and

Whereas, Ireland is an island nation that has throughout its history been comprised of 32 counties, artificially divided into a 26-county (The Irish Republic) and a six-county (Northern Ireland) unit in the 1920’s; and

Whereas, This artificial, forced division of the Irish nation was designed to be a transitory answer to the 1920’s issues; and

Whereas, History has demonstrated that the Irish people have the right and responsibility to govern themselves; and

Whereas, Human and civic rights derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed” and are best guaranteed by the people’s freely instituted, duly elected and independent government; and

Whereas, The Irish Republic is a member of the European Economic Union and a unified, independent Irish economy is the most fair and impartial path to extend the benefits of such growth to all Ireland; and

Whereas, A unified, independent Irish Police Service and Justice System is most likely to be effective, fair and impartial; and

Whereas, The historic Good Friday Agreement, negotiated with American support, and ratified by the English and Irish governments, as well as a vote of the entire island of Ireland, includes provisions for achieving a United Ireland through purely democratic and peaceful means and provides for the development of North/South institutions in cross-border cooperation; and

Whereas, This State and the United States have greatly benefited from the contributions of the sons and daughters of Ireland, and this State wishes to promote peace and prosperity for the Irish nation and people; and

Whereas, The democratic reunification of Ireland is the ultimate roadmap to peace and prosperity for the Irish nation and people; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Senate of the State of New Jersey hereby calls upon the English and Irish governments to take immediate steps necessary to bring to fullness the promises of the All Ireland institutions called for and envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement.

2. This House requests that the Irish government formally study the implications of a United Ireland and outline steps fundamental to restore the Irish nation and publicly report their findings and plans.

3. This House respectfully calls upon the Irish government to move without delay to further the peaceful healing of the Irish nation by granting duly elected northern Ministers of Parliament speaking rights in the Irish parliament and expand voting rights for the Irish President to the citizens of the six counties of Northern Ireland.

4. Duly authenticated copies of this Senate resolution, signed by the President of the Senate, and attested to by the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leaders of the United States House of Representatives, to each member of the United States Congress elected from this State, to the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, to the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and to the Ancient Order of the Hibernians.

STATEMENT

This Senate Resolution calls upon the English and Irish governments to take immediate steps necessary to bring to fullness the promises of the All Ireland institutions called for and envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement. It requests that the Irish government formally study the implications of a United Ireland and outline steps fundamental to restore the Irish Nation and publicly report their findings and plans. It also calls upon the Irish government to move without delay to further the peaceful healing of the Irish nation by granting duly elected northern Ministers of Parliament speaking rights in the Irish parliament and by expanding the voting rights for the Irish President to the citizens of the six counties of Northern Ireland.