Commemorating the 1916 Rising was "not enough", Sinn Féin Assembly member Pat Doherty said yesterday. Irish reunification needed to be placed top of the political agenda and a programme of measures adopted to achieve unity, he said.
Speaking at the announcement of plans for Sinn Féin commemorations at more than 40 locations throughout Ireland, Mr Doherty called for a renewed drive to end partition.
"Simply commemorating the events of Easter 1916 is not enough," he said. "Learning the lessons of 1916 means putting the issue of Irish unity at the top of the political agenda. It means the Irish Government driving forward a process which will deliver national reunification." Mr Doherty said this weekend's 90th anniversary was an important time for Irish republicans, when they would "remember friends and colleagues who have given their lives in pursuit of our republican ideals and goals".
He cited the Proclamation as one of the most progressive documents ever written and one which spelled out the demand for social and economic justice and democracy, of cherishing the children of the nation equally.
"Easter is also a time of renewal - a time when we as Irish republicans rededicate ourselves to the legitimate and achievable goals of independence and unity for the people of this island."
Referring to the decisions by the IRA during the last year to stand down and put its weapons beyond use, he called for a response from unionism.
"The historic decisions taken by the IRA in the course of the past 12 months have presented enormous challenges for all of us, not least the unionists and the two governments," he said.
"Yet despite the progress made, unionism has yet to agree to share power on the basis of equality and respect."
He confirmed that party president Gerry Adams will speak at events in Dublin on Saturday and in Belfast on Sunday.
Martin McGuinness will address a commemoration in Cork on Sunday; Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, will speak in Drumboe, Co Donegal, and MEP Mary Lou McDonald will speak in Phibsboro, Dublin, on Saturday.