By Sabina Clarke
On a picture-perfect day for a parade, Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein’s Minister for Agriculture in the North and a passionate advocate of social issues and rural regeneration, was the honored guest.
O’Neill, who was elected to the Joint Assembly at Stormont and is Deputy Chair of the Health Committee and member of the Education Committee, describes herself as “a strong Irish Republican” whose recently deceased father was a republican ex-prisoner and a big influence in her life. Her uncle Paul Doris was for years, the National President of Irish Northern Aid, NORAID and very active in the republican movement as well as being a close friend and confidante of Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.
As minister of Agriculture, what are some issues facing you?
“We are part of the European system, so, I constantly travel back and forth in Europe. Agriculture is the backbone of our society. We are still involved in agriculture even though in the past, it was not profitable. But now, there is a growing demand for food across the world and Ireland is in a good position to deliver and help lead Ireland to economic recovery. I am also the Minister of Rural Development. Quite often, people living in these areas are isolated and hard to reach. So, we tackle issues of poverty, health and other social issues to make sure they can access these services.
Why is Sinn Fein so strongly opposed to voting yes on the treaty with the European Union?
“Historically, Sinn Fein has been opposed to handing away our sovereignty. We have always taken a strong stand against the big bailouts, the big banks. The people of Ireland are struggling to get jobs. The people of Ireland are leaving Ireland to get jobs elsewhere. So when it comes to the issue of Europe and the big bail-out, we take a very strong position against it. Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach, shouldn’t be taking the line that he is. Now, the referendum is coming up. We actually pushed very hard to have the referendum so the people of Ireland can have their say.
Gerry Adams said it was a bad deal from the start.
“It is a bad deal for the people of Ireland .It is not good for the ordinary people of Ireland; so we are campaigning hard against it.”
How did you feel about Martin McGuinness’ showing in the Presidential race?
“It was phenomenal. I attended many events with Martin during the campaign. We went to a big Agriculture show in Ireland and he could not walk two yards without being completely swamped by people.
How do you feel about Adams continuing his fight for a united Ireland after being elected to the Irish Parliament?
“It was a brave move for him to give up his West Belfast seat where he spent most his life and continue the fight for a united Ireland. It shows that for him, it is not about position; it is about uniting Ireland. That is what we are all in the party for. We are actually getting closer. We have a border poll and it is the topic of conversation this minute. Our goal is to reach out to the unionists and let them know that nothing will interfere with a united Ireland.
What is happening with Sinn Fein’s planned Center for Peace and Reconciliation in Belfast at the site of Long Kesh prison?
“It is still a topic of conversation and an ongoing process.”
How do you see the changes in Northern Ireland in the past 25 years?
“If you look at the transformation in the North from the ceasefire to the Good Friday Agreement up until now, it is amazing. We probably have one of the best relationships with the Unionists, now more than ever-and particularly with the Democratic Ulster Party, DUP because we are in power with them in the North.”
How many more conditions still have to be met regarding the Good Friday Agreement?
“We have the framework from the Good Friday Agreement but there still is so much work to be done; not every element has been implemented. We also have to let unionism know that they cannot interfere with a united Ireland.
How do you feel about being here in Philadelphia today on this great festive occasion for the Irish?
“Philadelphia has always been important to us in our struggle. We have always depended on the city’s support including the various freedom proclamations in Philadelphia’s City Council.”
When did you start working for the party?
“I started working with Martin McGuinness in 1998 when the Good Friday Agreement .was signed. From that time on, I worked for the party full-time until 2005. Then I ran for Council elections and in 2006, was elected Deputy Mayor. Then in 2007, I was elected the first female Mayor of Dungannon in County Tyrone. Sinn Fein encourages women and young people to get involved and elected to public office. So, I have tremendous support from the party. I love doing what I do. It is not a job; it’s a way of life.”